India Orders Over 300 ATAGS in Landmark Defense Deal

India has signed its largest domestic defense contract, ordering 307 self-propelled 155 mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) for the Indian Army, the Ministry of Defence stated in a press release.

The country’s Defense Department has signed a contract with two domestic companies for the joint supply of 307 ATAGS, as well as 327 6×6 tractors.

The ministry signed contracts with two Indian companies—Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, for the joint supply of the artillery systems, along with 327 6×6 towing vehicles.

The $805 million deal will be split 60/40, with Bharat Forge supplying 184 guns worth $483 million and Tata delivering 123 units.

The deal, which is significant for the Indian defense industry, will allow about a dozen artillery regiments to be re-equipped, thus replacing a significant part of the outdated artillery systems of smaller caliber. Presumably, it touches old Soviet 130 mm M-46 guns, hundreds of which still remain in service.

According to the country’s defense ministry, over 65% of the ATAGS components will be sourced domestically, including barrels, muzzle brakes, bolt mechanisms, recoil systems, and ammunition handling equipment.

ATAGS

Developed in 2019 by the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Bharat Forge and Tata, the ATAGS is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer with a 52-caliber barrel.

The system weighs approximately 18 tons, partly due to its compact power unit, which enables a mobility speed of up to 12 km/h.

The system features an advanced fire control system, including a digital command-and-control interface, GPS-based targeting, and integration with higher-echelon artillery command structures.

The ATAGS has a maximum firing range of 45 km with high-explosive fragmentation shells, while rocket-assisted projectiles can exceed 60 km.