Article Posted on : - Dec 21, 2014

40MM L-70 Upgraded Gun. Photo: Ordnance Factory Board, India.

BHOPAL (PTI): The 40mm L/70 anti-aircraft guns used by Indian defence forces are being upgraded and modernised at Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory (GCF), with the help of Bharat Electronics Limited.

"We have already handed over two 40 mm L/70 guns to BEL for electronic upgradation after bringing mechanical improvement in it," GCF general manager N K Sinha told PTI over phone.

There is a plan to upgrade 200-odd L/70 guns, Sinha said adding that their hydraulic system is being changed to electric drive.

The gun's firing ability is being sharpened and its handling is being made more convenient, GCF officials said.

The guns were imported from Sweden's Bofors company in the 60s. After the transfer of technology (ToT) from the Swedish company, its manufacturing was taken up successfully by GCF, they said.

In the past also, the gun had been upgraded and its firing capacity enhanced to 240-300 rounds per minute, officials said.

The Indian Army, which has a good number of L/70 guns in its inventory, has been seeking the fully upgraded weapon with effective night vision equipment and advanced radar system since 1990s, as per reports.