India’s indigenous Dhanush 155 mm artillery gun has attracted significant interest from several African countries, highlighting the growing international appeal of the country’s domestically developed military equipment.
The interest emerged during the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026 exhibition, where Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) showcased the Dhanush howitzer alongside a range of other military platforms.
According to industry reports, military delegations from multiple African nations expressed interest in the artillery system and initiated preliminary discussions regarding potential procurement opportunities.
AWEIL is seeking to expand its presence in Africa through long-term strategic partnerships rather than pursuing conventional export sales alone. The company is also exploring opportunities involving local assembly, component manufacturing, technology transfer and joint production arrangements with African partners.
South Africa has emerged as one of the countries of interest for potential industrial collaboration due to its established defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The Dhanush artillery gun has already been inducted into the Indian Army and is regarded as one of the key outcomes of India’s drive for defence self-reliance.
Manufactured at the Gun Carriage Factory in Jabalpur, the howitzer incorporates more than 80 per cent indigenous content.
The weapon is an upgraded version of the original Bofors design and has been modernised extensively with advanced fire-control systems, improved navigation capabilities and enhanced firing performance.
The 155 mm/45-calibre gun can engage targets at long ranges and is designed for operations across diverse terrain, including deserts, semi-arid regions, mountainous areas and open battlefields.
Its ability to deliver rapid and accurate fire support has made it attractive to armed forces seeking modern artillery systems without the higher acquisition costs associated with certain Western alternatives.
AWEIL officials reported receiving an encouraging response from African military representatives during the exhibition.
Interested countries are expected to be invited to observe live firing demonstrations to evaluate the gun’s operational capabilities and performance. The growing overseas attention comes as production of the Dhanush platform gathers momentum in India.
The Indian Army initially ordered 114 Dhanush guns, with more than 70 already delivered.
The remaining systems are expected to complete the original order, marking a major milestone for India’s indigenous artillery manufacturing sector. The project experienced quality-control challenges and production delays during its early years.
However, design refinements, stricter quality assurance measures and improvements in manufacturing processes helped stabilise the programme and restore confidence in the weapon system.
The Dhanush is now expected to play a far larger role within the Indian Army.
India has approved plans for an additional procurement of around 300 Dhanush howitzers, a move that could significantly expand the Army’s artillery capability. The proposed acquisition is expected to support the raising of numerous new artillery regiments and strengthen firepower along critical operational sectors.
Industry estimates indicate that such a contract could be worth several thousand crore rupees, making it one of the largest domestic artillery procurements in recent years.
For African nations, the Dhanush offers an opportunity to acquire a combat-proven artillery platform backed by increasing indigenous production and potential industrial cooperation.
The interest generated at the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition reflects India’s broader ambition to become a major exporter of defence equipment and a long-term technology partner for developing military markets.
With African countries continuing to modernise their armed forces and expand domestic manufacturing capabilities, the Dhanush howitzer could emerge as one of India’s most promising defence export products in the coming years.
Agencies
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