Kalyani Strategic Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge, is preparing to begin proof testing of two newly developed indigenous naval gun systems—a 76mm and a 30mm variant—in 2026, marking an important milestone in India’s drive for self-reliance in naval artillery.
The development represents a significant step in building domestically designed maritime weapon systems, with the 30mm naval gun expected to be ready for trials as early as August 2026. Both systems are fully Indian in design and optimized specifically for shipboard use, distinct from the company’s earlier land-based artillery programs.
Bharat Forge’s growing credibility in the artillery domain was recently reinforced by a Letter of Intent signed with U.S.-based AM General at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The agreement, which covers advanced cannon systems, marks the first export of Indian-made artillery to the United States and underscores international confidence in Kalyani’s 105mm and 155mm gun technologies that underpin these naval adaptations. Chairman Baba Kalyani described the development as a breakthrough, highlighting the combat-proven nature of the company’s solutions.
The 30mm naval cannon builds on successful trials of modular turrets developed for infantry combat vehicles, using the NATO-standard 30×173mm calibre. Designed for versatility, the system offers effective engagement ranges beyond 2,000 meters and supports a range of ammunition types, including armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds for use against light armor, small surface threats, and low-flying targets. Naval-specific stabilization and recoil adaptations distinguish it from land-based versions previously tested at Balasore.
For the 76mm gun, Kalyani is pursuing a compact, high-rate-of-fire design inspired by proven legacy systems but fully indigenized to meet Indian Navy requirements. Intended for roles such as anti-missile point defense and anti-surface warfare, the gun is expected to achieve firing rates of up to 120 rounds per minute, with guided munitions extending engagement ranges to 40 km. Proof testing in 2026 will focus on validating recoil control, structural robustness, and integration with electro-optical fire control systems.
