India is laying the groundwork for a new kind of long-range artillery — one powered by electricity instead of chemical propellants.
The shift is taking shape at the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), which has confirmed work on an electromagnetic railgun for the Indian Army.
Unlike conventional artillery that uses explosives, the system relies on electromagnetic force, firing projectiles with an electrical surge of roughly 11,000 volts and 2.5 mega-amperes.
That energy pushes a solid projectile to around Mach 6 (7,200 kilometers/4,470 miles per hour), compressing reaction times and limiting opportunities for countermeasures.
Designed for deep strikes, the Indian railgun is expected to launch a 50-kilogram (110-pound) payload to ranges approaching 200 kilometers (124 miles).
By removing chemical propellants from the equation, the system could simplify logistics and improve safety, reducing the risks tied to storage, transport, and handling.
Firing solid metal projectiles may also lower long-term operating costs compared with traditional artillery shells and missile systems.
Next Steps and Potential Obstacles
The railgun remains a technically demanding system, with full development expected to take years. Even so, Indian defense officials indicate it could be ready for army deployment within the next decade.
Work is now centered on integrating high-power capacitor banks and reinforcing the launcher’s rails so it can withstand intense heat, stress, and friction during repeated firings.
ARDE chief Ankathi Raju said several critical subsystems are already in place, with core enabling technologies progressing beyond the conceptual stage.
If successfully fielded, the program would represent a significant leap in India’s push toward next-gen artillery, positioning it among a small group of nations pursuing operational electromagnetic weapon systems.
