India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has inked contracts for the procurement of an indigenously developed artillery system for the Indian Army from the nation’s private sector. This is the first major procurement of towed guns from the private sector by the army.
The MoD awarded the contracts to the Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced System Limited for the procurement of the indigenously developed 155 mm/52 calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and High Mobility Vehicle 6x6 Gun Towing Vehicles.
The deals are cumulatively worth Rupees 69 billion (approximately US$812 million). “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,” an Indian MoD spokesperson said.
Under the terms of the contract, the army will receive 307 155mm/52 caliber guns along with 327 High Mobility 6x6 Gun Towing Vehicles, which will be used to equip 15 Artillery Regiments.
The ATAGS howitzer has a range of over 40 km and features and an advanced fire control system. The ATAGS howitzer was indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research Organisation’s (DRDO) Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) located in Pune, in partnership with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems,
Earlier this month, India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which is headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded its Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 8 capital acquisition proposals totalling over Rupees 540 billion (approximately US$6.35 billion). In India, the AoN marks the formal commencement of a defence procurement.
Some of the projects which have been approved include the Indian Army’s upgrade of its T-90s Main Battle Tanks (MBT) with new 1,350 HP engines (up from its present 1000 HP engines), to boost the battlefield mobility of these tanks especially in high-altitude areas by increasing their power to weight ratio.
As far as other armed forces are concerned, the most recent document establishes that the Indian Navy will proceed with the acquisition of additional indigenously-developed VARUNASTRA ship-launched anti-submarine torpedoes, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) will proceed with the procurement of additional Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft Systems.
Privacy Policy
Powered by © Mobilbyte s.a.s. Information Technology