The Indian Ministry of Defence has contracted a pair of domestic firms for the collective procurement of 307 indigenously developed towed artillery systems.
At 69 billion Indian rupees (approximately $805 million), it is the largest domestic defense contract in the country.
It has been divided between Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited in a ratio of 60 to 40 percent.
Bharat Forge will supply 184 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) for 41.40 billion Indian rupees ($483 million), while the remaining 123 guns will be provided by Tata Advanced Systems.
The deal includes 327 high mobility 6×6 gun towing vehicles.
Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System
The Armament Research and Development Establishment, a laboratory of the government-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation, developed the 155mm/52 caliber system in collaboration with both the private firms.
The ATAGS will replace India’s aging smaller caliber artillery guns — the 105mm and 130mm — equipping 15 Indian Army artillery regiments.
The system was approved for production after rigorous testing across the country’s diverse terrain.
It is capable of striking at over 40 kilometers (25 miles) and features advanced fire control, precision targeting, automated loading, and recoil management.
Over 65 percent of the system’s components will reportedly be sourced domestically, including barrels, muzzle brakes, breech mechanisms, firing and recoil systems, and ammunition handling mechanisms.
