ATAGS procurement to strengthen India’s firepower

Following the news that India has signed a contract for the procurement of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), Harsh Deshmukh, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, a data and analytics company, offered his view:

“The procurement of 307 ATAGS and 327 towing vehicles signed with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems for Rs. 6,900 crore ($820 million) will significantly expand India’s fleet of indirect firepower delivery platforms. Capable of delivering precise long-range strikes at a rate of 5 rounds per minute, these indigenous 155mm howitzers will substantially enhance the Indian Army’s firepower, while bolstering the country’s autonomy in defense manufacturing. The towing vehicles, which are part of the current procurement program, will enable swift deployment of the ATAGS units.

“The escalating tensions along India’s northern borders, particularly with China which deployed advanced artillery like the PCL-181 in the high-altitude regions, highlight the need for India to strengthen its land-based firepower. China’s rapid military modernization, particularly its emphasis on mobile and long-range artillery systems, has heightened the urgency for India to address threats of potential conflicts in regions such as Ladakh, which has already witnessed deadly skirmishes in the past. Similarly, along the Pakistan border, where sporadic fire exchanges between the two sides are not uncommon, ATAGS offers a decisive edge. Its long-range capability ensures deeper strikes into enemy territory, enhancing the Indian Army’s operational reach.

“According to GlobalData’s “Artillery Systems Market Size and Trend Analysis Including Segments, Programs, Competitive Landscape and Forecast to 2034,” India is expected to invest over $5.3 billion on procuring various types of towed artillery systems over the next 10 years, reflecting its focus on enhancing its land-based combat capabilities through indigenous procurement.

“The ATAGS will be complementing the in-service airlift capable M777s and the self-propelled K9 Vajras. This mix of artillery deployment enhances the Indian Army’s flexibility in a dynamic mission environment along the borders. With ATAGS already exported to Armenia, India will also continue to look to for export opportunities for this potent platform in international markets in order to keep the production cost down through economies of scale.”

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