Technology, precision and training are reshaping artillery's role in modern warfare.
By M S Nazki
The central argument of this article is that artillery remains one of the decisive arms of modern warfare. Its importance, however, no longer rests on firepower alone. Range, precision, mobility, surveillance, digital systems and the ability to respond rapidly to changing battlefield conditions increasingly determine how effectively artillery can shape an operation.
From the massed guns of earlier wars to contemporary systems integrated with drones and advanced target-acquisition networks, artillery has evolved into a technology-intensive arm that can influence the battlefield long before opposing forces come into direct contact.
For India, the continuing modernisation of artillery training, including the development of expertise in unmanned aerial systems and emerging technologies, reflects the need to prepare personnel for this changing operational environment.
Technology, Precision and the Changing Role of Artillery
Modern artillery is far more than a collection of guns delivering heavy fire. Its effectiveness depends on the coordination of weapon systems, trained crews, surveillance assets, communications and accurate information. The ability to identify a target, assess its significance and deliver an appropriate response has become as important as the range of the weapon itself.
Unmanned aerial systems, advanced simulators and digital training facilities are changing how artillery personnel prepare for operations. Drones can support reconnaissance and target observation, while improved communications and digital systems can help connect information from the battlefield to decision-makers. These capabilities also require rigorous training, sound judgement and an understanding of the limitations of technology.
The modern artilleryman must therefore combine traditional gunnery skills with technical proficiency, adaptability and the ability to operate in an increasingly complex environment.
From Historical Cannons to Modern Firepower
Artillery has shaped military history for centuries. Early gunpowder weapons gradually transformed siege warfare, while improvements in metallurgy, ammunition and mobility expanded the role of guns on the battlefield. By the Napoleonic era, artillery had become central to the concentration of firepower and the disruption of opposing formations.
The two World Wars further demonstrated its enormous influence. Heavy guns, field artillery and mortars played major roles in trench warfare, defensive operations and large-scale offensives. Mechanisation subsequently increased mobility, while advances in range and accuracy expanded the options available to commanders.
Today, the artillery family includes conventional guns, self-propelled systems, rocket artillery and precision-guided munitions. Each has distinct capabilities and limitations, but all depend on effective integration, reliable logistics and well-trained personnel.
The underlying principle remains relevant: firepower can shape a battlefield, but its effectiveness depends on how intelligently and responsibly it is employed.
India's Artillery and the Lessons of Kargil
The Kargil War of 1999 remains a significant chapter in the history of Indian artillery. Operating in difficult high-altitude terrain, Indian gunners provided crucial fire support to troops engaged in the effort to recapture occupied heights. The performance of the Bofors 155 mm howitzers became particularly associated with the conflict, demonstrating the importance of accurate, sustained artillery fire in mountainous warfare.
The experience reinforced the need for artillery systems capable of operating across varied terrain and supporting troops under demanding conditions. It also highlighted the importance of ammunition availability, coordination between arms and the ability to adapt to the battlefield.
India's continuing artillery modernisation reflects these operational lessons. The introduction and development of systems such as the M777 ultra-light howitzer, K9 Vajra-T and indigenous Dhanush and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) represent different elements of the effort to strengthen capability, mobility and domestic defence manufacturing.
In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth approximately ₹6,900 crore for ATAGS and associated high-mobility gun-towing vehicles. The programme represents an important step in expanding India's indigenous artillery capabilities.
Modernisation, however, involves more than acquiring equipment. New systems must be supported by trained crews, effective maintenance, appropriate ammunition, dependable communications and training that reflects contemporary operational demands.
Training for Tomorrow's Battlefield
The emphasis on technology-enabled training is particularly relevant as artillery evolves. A weapon system can deliver its intended capability only when personnel understand its operation, limitations and place within the wider combat environment.
At the Artillery Centre in Nashik Road and the School of Artillery at Devlali, training infrastructure and specialist instruction form part of the professional development of artillery personnel. Expertise in unmanned aerial systems, simulator-based instruction and emerging technologies can help prepare soldiers for increasingly demanding operational responsibilities.
The reported visit by Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, to Nashik Military Station focused on training, innovation and future battlefield readiness. The visit included reviews of artillery training infrastructure and facilities associated with unmanned aerial systems and combat aviation training.
Such attention to training is significant because technological change places new demands on military personnel. Soldiers must remain proficient in established skills while developing the confidence and technical knowledge required to work with newer equipment. Training must also reinforce discipline, teamwork, sound decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure.
The objective is not simply to introduce technology into military institutions, but to ensure that personnel can use their training effectively when circumstances are difficult and decisions carry serious consequences.
Precision, Mobility and the Human Factor
The growing importance of surveillance, digital networks and precision-guided systems has changed expectations of artillery. Greater access to information can improve situational awareness, while mobility and timely decision-making remain essential to survivability and operational effectiveness.
Yet technology cannot replace the human element. Equipment requires skilled operators, commanders must interpret information in context, and logistics personnel must ensure that systems remain serviceable. Artillery operations also demand coordination with infantry, armour, aviation and other supporting elements.
The professional identity of the gunner has long been associated with technical competence, collective responsibility and trust within the team. Those qualities remain important even as equipment and methods change.
The challenge for modern artillery is to bring these enduring strengths together with technological progress. Training institutions, operational experience and indigenous innovation will all have a role in preparing the arm for future requirements.
The Enduring Importance of the Gunners
Artillery has travelled a long distance from the early cannon to today's increasingly sophisticated weapon systems. Its role has evolved through successive generations of warfare, but its significance in land operations remains substantial.
India's experience, particularly in Kargil, underlines the importance of artillery that can operate effectively in demanding terrain and support troops when it matters most. Continued modernisation and technology-focused training are essential to maintaining that capability.
The future battlefield will demand precision, adaptability and close coordination between people and systems. For the artillery, meeting that challenge will depend not only on the power of its weapons, but also on the professionalism of the men and women who operate, maintain and support them.
Ultimately, the strength of artillery lies in the combination of technology, preparation and human skill. As the battlefield continues to change, the gunners' ability to adapt will remain central to the arm's enduring contribution to military operations.
M S Nazki is a journalist, defence correspondent and author from Jammu and Kashmir, writing on defence, security, strategic affairs and social issues.
Email: msnazki123@gmail.com
