To boost the Indian Army's long-range offensive capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) finalized contracts for the purchase of 155 mm/52 calibre advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) and high-mobility 6x6 gun towing vehicles, with a total cost of approximately Rs 6,900 crore.

The ATAGS will be acquired from Bharat Forge Limited, while the high-mobility vehicles will be sourced from Tata Advanced System Limited.

The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block in New Delhi. Dwelling on the significance of the move, the MoD explained, “The 155 mm/52 calibre ATAGS will replace the vintage and smaller calibre guns and enhance the artillery capabilities of the Indian Army. The procurement of this gun system marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of the artillery regiments, enhancing operational readiness.”

The ministry added, “ATAGS, renowned for its exceptional lethality, will play a crucial role in bolstering the Army’s firepower by enabling precise and long-range strikes.”

As of now, contracts totaling Rs 1.4 lakh crore have been finalized by the Ministry of Defence for capital procurement in the current financial year (2024-25).

 

During the contract signing ceremony, the Defence Secretary honored the project director of ATAGS from DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment in Pune for his significant contributions to the project’s success.

The Ministry of Defence also acknowledged how this project contributes to economic development in alignment with the Make in India initiative.

The government's recent action represents an important step forward in the modernization of artillery regiments, improving their operational efficiency.

According to the government, this initiative will benefit the Indian gun manufacturing sector and the overall domestic defense manufacturing landscape.

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This endeavor is anticipated to strengthen the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by contributing significantly to job creation and economic development in alignment with the Make-in-India campaign.