July 26 is celebrated every year as the Kargil Diwas, marking India’s victorious closure to the war that Pakistan foisted on Indian armed forces 25 years ago. The Kargil war of 1999 remains etched in memory as a time of intense strife and sacrifice for India.
It unfolded amid the rugged peaks and challenging terrain of the Kargil sector, where Pakistani forces stealthily infiltrated Indian positions. This incursion, daunting in its audacity and scale, required a swift and robust response from the Indian military to evict the intruders and regain control of the strategic heights overlooking key supply routes.
It was against this backdrop in the hilly landscape of Kargil, a controversial weapon system, the Bofors howitzer, emerged as the unsung hero that turned the tide in India's favour. Bofors had been a tainted name in Indian political and public discourse ever since allegations of corruption were levelled against the Rajiv Gandhi government during the 1980s.
A useful gun tainted by scandal and politics
The Bofors scandal refers to a major political and financial controversy, involving allegations of corruption in a defence deal between the Indian government and the Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors.
In March 1986, the Rajiv Gandhi government signed a contract with AB Bofors for the supply of 400 field guns, 155 mm howitzers, for the Indian Army. The deal was valued at approximately Rs 1,437 crore ($285 million).
In April 1987, Swedish Radio claimed that Bofors had paid illegal kickbacks to Indian politicians and defence officials to secure the contract. The payments were alleged to have been routed through intermediaries and offshore bank accounts to conceal their origin.
The consequent political outcry became huge, leading to the resignation of Rajiv Gandhi’s defence minister, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, who emerged as his principal challenger in the next national election. The 1989 parliamentary election was held amid slogans like “Gali gali mein shor hai, Rajiv Gandhi chor hai” (There is outcry in every street, Rajiv Gandhi is a thief). His government fell.
But Bofors didn’t India
In the challenging terrain and amid limited operational options, the Bofors FH77B howitzer, the 155 mm field artillery gun, emerged as a game-changer for the Indian Army. The Bofors howitzer demonstrated unparalleled precision and firepower during the conflict.
Positioned strategically at altitudes exceeding 8,000 feet, the Bofors gun's ability to deliver accurate, rapid-fire artillery rounds proved decisive in neutralising entrenched Pakistani positions.
Equipped with a range of over 35 kilometres, the Bofors howitzer's capability to fire three rounds in 12 seconds allowed Indian artillery units to engage Pakistani forces effectively. Its capacity to operate in a direct-fire role, targeting enemy positions at nearly 90-degree angles from vantage points below Pakistani-held heights, ensured that Indian troops could engage their adversaries with minimal exposure.
How Bofors guns impacted the Kargil war
The Bofors howitzer's impact on the course of the Kargil war cannot be overstated. By providing precise and devastating artillery support, the Bofors gun facilitated the systematic dismantling of Pakistani artillery batteries and defensive positions.
This strategic advantage bolstered Indian efforts to reclaim occupied territories and secure crucial supply lines in the face of determined resistance from well-entrenched Pakistani troops. The rapid deployment capabilities of the Bofors howitzer were instrumental in maintaining operational flexibility for Indian forces operating in the rugged mountainous terrain.
Powered by a Mercedes-Benz engine, which enabled swift relocation after firing salvos, the Bofors guns mitigated the risk of counter-fire from Pakistani forces. It proved to be a formidable weapon system that gave Indian forces the operational advantage to overpower the intruding Pakistan troops in the Kargil war.
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