In a significant development for India’s defense modernization and self-reliance, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a Rs 7,000 crore contract for the procurement of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS). This cutting-edge 155mm/52-caliber towed howitzer, indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will enhance the Indian Army’s long-range artillery capabilities, particularly along the borders with Pakistan and China. The deal is distributed between Bharat Forge, which secured 60% of the contract as the lowest bidder, and Tata Advanced Systems, receiving the remaining 40%. Besides its military implications, the ATAGS project is expected to generate around 20 lakh man-days of employment, thereby strengthening India’s defense-industrial ecosystem. The ATAGS boasts an impressive range of 45-48 km, improved accuracy, and advanced automation to reduce crew fatigue and enhance response times, making it particularly effective for rapid deployment in challenging terrains, including high- altitude and border regions. This procurement not only represents a leap in India’s artillery capabilities but also underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering national security while promoting domestic manufacturing and job creation in the defense sector.
