307 ‘Made in India’ ATAGS Guns: The Indian Army plans to finalize a major deal to acquire 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) platforms, advanced 155mm howitzers developed entirely in India.
This announcement was made by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi during his annual press briefing ahead of Army Day, celebrated on January 15. “If everything proceeds as planned, we intend to finalize the ATAGS contract by the end of this financial year,” he stated, according to Business standard. The contract, estimated to cost around ₹8,000 crore, is expected to be concluded by March 2025.
In November, Bharat Forge, part of the Kalyani Group, initiated contract discussions with the Ministry of Defence regarding the procurement of these 307 artillery systems. The company noted, “After completion of the due technical evaluation process and commercial bids opening, the contract negotiation procedure between Bharat Forge Ltd and the Indian Ministry of Defence is currently underway,” Bharat Forge reportedly emerged as the lowest bidder when the bids were opened in late October.
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The Ministry of Defence’s procurement plan allocates 60% of the contract to Bharat Forge, with the TATA Group potentially handling the remaining 40% if they match the bid price. Bharat Forge has also previously exported ATAGS to Armenia in 2022.
The ATAGS, created by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Bharat Forge and the TATA Group, represents the latest in artillery technology. These guns boast a range of 35 to 45 kilometers, depending on the type of ammunition, and achieved an impressive 47-kilometer range during trials in 2017.
General Dwivedi highlighted the Army’s dedication to modernizing its artillery systems with an emphasis on indigenous development, aligning with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbharta’ initiative for self-reliance in defense. He also discussed plans for enhancing the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system by extending its ammunition range. “If the extended-range ammunition meets our requirements, we may not need other long-range systems and we could concentrate on the Pinaka system,” he explained.
The guided Pinaka system recently reached a significant milestone. In November, the DRDO announced the successful completion of flight tests for the guided Pinaka, which were conducted as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements validation trials.
These tests increased the Pinaka’s range to over 75 kilometers and opened the path for its induction. The Army currently operates four Pinaka regiments and has six more on order. The Pinaka Mk1 has a range of 38 kilometers, but advanced versions under development are expected to extend this to 120 kilometers or more.
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Apart from the Pinaka, the Army employs other rocket artillery systems, including five Grad regiments and three Smerch regiments, both of Russian origin. The Smerch system can fire at targets up to 90 kilometers away. Enhancing the range of the Pinaka would position it as a vital component of the Army’s long-range artillery capabilities.
The Army is also expanding its fleet of 155mm/52 caliber K9 Vajra-T self-propelled artillery guns. Manufactured under license from South Korean defense company Hanwha Defense, these guns have proven their capabilities in challenging environments, such as deserts, plains, and high-altitude regions like Ladakh.
In December, the Ministry of Defence finalized a ₹7,629 crore deal with Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) to acquire 100 more K9 Vajra guns, building on a completed contract. These self-propelled artillery guns are armored vehicles capable of firing large-caliber shells and traversing varied terrains.
These initiatives underscore the Army’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities with advanced, indigenous systems, supporting India’s push for self-reliance in defense production.
