India test it heaviest 120mm mortar system ‘Garudastra’, check range, firing rate, drone integration and key features
Developed in cooperation with a foreign original equipment manufacturer, the system is designed to hit targets at a distance of 7 to 10 kilometers. It is equipped with a 17 kg penetrating warhead that can defeat 20 centimeters of reinforced concrete and is capable of hitting bunkers and fortified positions from safer distances.
Difference between artillery and mortar
A mortar is a short-barreled indirect fire weapon that launches explosive projectiles into a high trajectory, allowing them to land almost vertically on the target. While artillery offers greater range and firepower, mortars are lighter, easier to deploy, and better suited to support infantry operations in rapidly changing battlefield conditions.
Garudastra’s Abilities
Garudastra uses soft recoil technology, allowing the 120mm air to be mounted on a lightweight 4×4 tactical vehicle. Compared to the smaller 81 mm and 82 mm systems, the 120 mm caliber provides a balance between firepower, range and mobility and remains one of the most widely used heavy mortar calibers.
The vehicle-mounted platform allows the system to be deployed quickly, firing multiple rounds and displacing enemy forces before they can locate and launch a counterattack. This hit-and-run capability is considered increasingly important in modern battlefields dominated by drone surveillance, counter-battery radars and precision-guided weapons.
High fire and network integration
The system is capable of firing bursts of 12 to 16 rounds per minute and maintaining a rate of fire of 3 to 4 rounds per minute. The rate of fire allows forces to quickly attack moving targets and provide sustained fire support during critical combat operations.
Garudastra also integrates with C4I and Combat Management Systems, allowing it to receive real-time targeting information from drones, radars and command networks. Drone feeds increase susceptibility to mobile threats by providing target coordinates and course corrections.
Precision-guided munitions increase accuracy
The mortar system can use both GPS-guided and laser-guided munitions, providing greater accuracy than conventional mortars that rely primarily on ballistic trajectories and area bombardment.
While GPS-guided projectiles use satellite navigation coordinates to hit predetermined targets, laser-guided munitions target laser energy reflected from targets identified by ground troops, drones or forward observers. The use of GPS guidance increases the probability of a hit in the first round while reducing ammunition consumption.
Supports domestic defense production targets
According to the company, the Garudastra system is in line with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to strengthen the country’s indigenous defense industrial base and meet the operational requirements of the Indian armed forces.
