The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

In 1999, the Indian Army's Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP) was conceived with the ambitious goal of acquiring 2,800 155mm artillery guns by 2027. However, only eight per cent of the planned 2,800 guns have reportedly been acquired so far, and 17 per cent of the proposed number under multiple proposals have been handed over to the Indian Army. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has criticised this extremely slow pace of artillery modernisation.

The ATAGS boasts a range of 35 km with ERFB BT ammunition, extending to 45 km with ERFB BB rounds, and achieved a record-breaking range of 47 km during trials

However, there is now progress in equipping the Indian Army with the indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), which was developed to replace the 155mm x 39 calibre Bofors FH-77B howitzers inducted into the Army in 1986. The ATAGS, developed for the Indian Army by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), and Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), is a 155mm/52 calibre towed artillery system. Bharat Forge and KSSL are the development and manufacturing partners for the project. The ATAGS project was initiated in 2013 by ARDE under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The ATAGS was first publicly showcased at the 68th Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2017. Both the TASL and KSSL prototypes were part of the parade. The ATAGS was also included in the 21-gun salute alongside the British-origin 25-pounder during the 76th Independence Day celebrations. Two ATAGS howitzers were included in the battery that fired the 21-gun salute. The ATAGS has undergone extensive field trials, successfully completing all evaluations as of May 2022, and is expected to be inducted into service with an order for 307 units by FY2025.

Bharat Forge has emerged as the lowest bidder for a ₹7,000 crore ATAGS contract, expected to revitalise the long-stalled artillery modernisation programme

The ATAGS gun is towed by an Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6 truck and can transition from towing mode to firing mode within two minutes. Its capabilities are impressive. It boasts a range of 35 km with Extended Range Sub-Bore Boat Tail (ERFB BT) ammunition and up to 45 km with ERFB Base Bleed (BB) rounds. During trials in 2017, the ATAGS achieved a record-breaking range of 47 km. The weapon's ability to deliver intense rates of fire is another standout feature: it can launch 10 high-explosive shells in just 2.5 minutes and 5 rounds in 60 seconds in burst mode. These features make it an incredibly lethal system that will significantly enhance the Indian Army's combat capabilities.

According to media reports from November 2024, Bharat Forge has emerged as the lowest bidder for a contract valued at approximately ₹7,000 crore (around $840 million) for the ATAGS. The contract is expected to be split between Bharat Forge and TASL in a 60:40 ratio. This procurement plan follows a tender issued for 400 towed gun systems to kickstart the Indian Army's long-stalled artillery modernisation programme, which has faced criticism for slow progress over the past two decades.

The ATAGS has demonstrated its capabilities across diverse terrains, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the cold heights of Sikkim, proving its versatility and combat readiness

Bharat Forge has stated that the deal could be finalised before the end of the 2024-25 financial year. The ATAGS has proven successful during trials, including firing exercises conducted in the deserts of Rajasthan, near the border with Pakistan, and in the cold heights of Sikkim, along the frontier with China. The induction of ATAGS into the Indian Army will not only serve as a technical upgrade but also represent the indigenisation of the entire artillery acquisition programme under 'Make in India'.

Another positive development on the ATAGS front is its potential for export. Following successful trials of an initial batch of six ATAGS, Armenia has entered advanced talks with Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) to procure 78 additional units. According to Armenian media reports, the six ATAGS delivered to Armenia in 2023 have already been deployed and have demonstrated exceptional performance across various terrains, including high-altitude mountainous regions and plains. The additional 78 ATAGS units are planned to be acquired based on feedback from Armenian military personnel. Notably, the ATAGS have been adapted by Armenian military units to include a user interface in the Armenian language, enhancing usability for local operators.

India's growing role as a defence supplier is underscored by the ATAGS deal with Armenia and potential interest from other Eastern European nations

This ATAGS deal not only signifies strengthened defence collaboration between Armenia and India but also highlights India's growing role as a supplier of advanced defence technologies in Eastern Europe, where there is a demand for cost-effective and versatile solutions. Other Eastern European countries may also express interest in the ATAGS, particularly given its extensive trials and evaluations in diverse terrain by the Indian Army. Additionally, India has offered the ATAGS to the Philippines.

A truck-mounted self-propelled artillery variant with ATAGS mounted on an 8×8 High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) has also been developed. The gun weighs 30 tonnes, and the first and only prototype was revealed at DefExpo 2022.