India's Dhanush 155 mm Artillery Gun: A Strategic Partnership Opportunity for Africa

India's Dhanush 155 mm Artillery Gun: A Strategic Partnership Opportunity for Africa\n\nThe recent Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition witnessed significant interest in India's Dhanush 155 mm artillery gun, showcased by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL).\n\nAWEIL, a leading Indian defence company, aims to establish long-term strategic partnerships with African defence sectors. The company showcased scale models of the Dhanush 155 mm artillery gun, which has already been inducted by the Indian Army and has over 300 orders planned for the second batch.\n\nAccording to sources, the response to the Dhanush gun was massive, with many African military leaders inquiring about the gun and expressing interest in potential cooperation. AWEIL is open to various forms of cooperation, including local assembly, component manufacturing, technology transfer, and joint production, particularly with partners like South Africa.\n\nThe Joint General Manager of AWEIL, Pankaj Kumar Dubey, reportedly received a positive response from African military leaders. Many African militaries have expressed interest in the Dhanush 155 mm artillery gun, and they have been invited to send their delegation for a firepower demonstration.\n\nAWEIL has resumed deliveries of the gun after addressing quality control issues that had halted deliveries. The Indian Army had placed orders for 114 Dhanush guns, which are uprated to 155mm/45-calibre from the original Bofors guns. The guns are manufactured with over 80% indigenous content, and over 72 of the 114 guns have been delivered so far.\n\nThe Indian Army plans to procure an additional 300 Dhanush howitzers to raise 15 new regiments. The contract with AWEIL is expected to be finalised on or before March 2027, once pricing and commercial terms are settled.\n\nThe Dhanush howitzers will replace nearly 200 original Bofors guns that are defunct due to their advanced age and lack of spares. They will also replace around 200 more Bofors guns that are still operational with the Indian Army but will remain in service for another 10 years or more before being phased out completely.\n\nRecently, the Cambodian Army was seen training with Dhanush regiments, indicating that more countries are being offered this gun as the production line ramps up and the Army plans to procure more of the same gun soon.\n\nAWEIL's decision to showcase the Dhanush 155 mm artillery gun at the AAD 2026 exhibition has opened up new opportunities for strategic partnerships with African defence sectors. The company's willingness to cooperate with partners like South Africa and its commitment to local assembly and joint production make the Dhanush gun an attractive option for African militaries.\n\nAs the Indian defence industry continues to grow and expand its global presence, the Dhanush 155 mm artillery gun is poised to play a significant role in strengthening India's strategic partnerships with African countries.\n\nIn conclusion, the Dhanush 155 mm artillery gun has the potential to become a game-changer in the African defence market, and AWEIL's efforts to establish strategic partnerships with African defence sectors are a step in the right direction.