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ATAGS: The made-in-India artillery gun system that can be deployed in all terrains
DRDO's Advance Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) being displayed at Rajpath during a rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi in 2017. File Photo/PTI
The Indian Army is set to test a homegrown howitzer, which it calls the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). This 155mm/52 calibre truck-mounted mobile artillery gun can be deployed on all terrains – from the deserts of Rajasthan to Siachen's icy heights.
In March, the Ministry of Defence had signed contracts with Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for procuring ATAGS and high‐mobility 6×6 gun towing vehicles for Rs 6,900 crore. The artillery gun will be a game-changer for India's defence.
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Let's take a closer look.
The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) has a range of over 45 kilometres. It boasts higher accuracy, consistency of operations, superior firing, and operates in all-weather conditions.
The long-range howitzer has been indigenously designed and developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), the Pune-based laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Bharat Forge and TASL.
The upper carriage of the gun system packs the gun barrel, breech and muzzle brake, recoil system, cradle, saddle, elevating and traversing mechanism, layer station, loader station and ammunition handling system. The undercarriage contains structural, automotive, and auxiliary systems.
'The system is configured with an all-electric drive to ensure maintenance-free and reliable field operations,' the DRDO said in its bulletin. It is equipped with automatic gun laying, shell and charge loading, ramming and gun deployment.
#WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra: Director, ARDE, A. Raju says, "The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), which is designed and developed by ARDE, Pune. This is one of the best systems in the world, which the DRDO has developed. Its max range is 48 km and has special features… https://t.co/VT42LacZ7U pic.twitter.com/L14zAtVi7m — ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2025
The ATAGS, which can be deployed in 85 seconds, is compatible with firing existing shells with the Indian Army as well as integrates seamlessly with its Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS).
The ATAGS can fire 10 high-explosive shells at a target in just 2.5 minutes, or five rounds in 60 seconds in burst fire mode. It has a range of up to 48 km, depending on the type of ammunition.
The ATAGS comes with self-propulsion capability, which is attained through an auxiliary power unit (APU) comprising an automotive system, hydraulic transmission, and actuation mechanisms.
ATAGS is a big boost for India's goal to advance its artillery modernisation.
'The first gun system is ready for the mandatory first of product model test. The first regiment of 18 ATAGS will be inducted within a year thereafter,' RP Pandey, Project Director (PD) of ATAGS, told The New Indian Express.
The indigenous gun system is set to replace older, smaller calibre guns and give a fillip to the Indian Army's artillery capabilities.
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'ATAGS, renowned for its exceptional lethality, will play a crucial role in bolstering the Army's firepower by enabling precise and long-range strikes," the defence ministry said.
ATAGS, @DRDO_India's flagship artillery system, is spearheading the #IndianArmy's artillery modernisation—an exemplary Mission Mode success. It brings together #DRDO, the Indian Army, and both public and private sectors to strengthen #AatmanirbharBharat in defence. With its… pic.twitter.com/rZlC122tAr — Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) July 9, 2025
The mounted gun system (MGS), a cross-country truck-mounted heavy artillery system, is based on ATAGS.
Artillery systems can strike deep into the enemy territory. However, after firing, their positions can be revealed. Mobility offers these systems the ability to fire and relocate quickly.
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Bharat Kushwaha, Design Leader of the MGS project, told The New Indian Express that 'high-mobility artillery was a technology gap which needed to be addressed. The Mounted Gun System (MGS) was a viable solution.'
During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army deployed artillery to destroy Pakistani bunkers and posts along the Line of Control (LoC).
India's artillery boost is also fuelled by the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system. Its range has increased from 40 km to 72 km, with plans to further enhance it to 90 km.
The Army is also looking to grow its fleet of 155mm/52 calibre K9 Vajra-T self-propelled tracked artillery guns. Hundred more Vajra units will be added to the fleet by the end of 2025, joining the 100 already deployed in places like Ladakh.
With inputs from agencies
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