Indian Defence Ministry Considers Procuring 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems for Indian Army

Defense News ,India :- In March of this year, the Indian Army submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Defence to acquire 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) for deployment along the borders with China and Pakistan.

According to Dr. Samir V Kamat, the chairman of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), the research wing is expected to place an order for 307 ATAGS before the conclusion of the current financial year. These advanced artillery systems will be strategically positioned along the India-China and India-Pakistan borders.

Highlighting the successful completion of all trials for ATAGS, Dr. Kamat expressed confidence that the order would be finalized within the current financial year. The 155 mm x 52 mm calibre howitzer gun was developed by DRDO in collaboration with private partners Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Bharat Forge Ltd.

Dr. Samir V Kamat emphasized DRDO's continuous support for the industry, stating that they have been collaborating with both MSMEs and smaller industries since the development phase. Over the past seven to eight years, with the implementation of the DcPP (Development-cum-Production Partner) concept, DRDO has worked with private and public sectors as system integrators, starting from the design and development stage.

In 2023, the Indian Army deployed a substantial number of easily transportable M-777 ultra-light howitzers in the mountainous regions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. This reinforcement of firepower in Arunachal Pradesh follows the deployment of howitzers in sensitive areas in the Ladakh sector amid the lingering border standoff with China.

India's efforts to enhance its military capabilities along the 3,500-km-long LAC have been accelerated since the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which escalated tensions between the Indian and Chinese armies.