Latest news with #ATAGS
India.com
5 days ago
- Business
- India.com
After Brahmos missiles, India develops another lethal weapon, Pakistan will shiver in fear, tension for China also due to...
Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)- File image DRDO's 155 artillery shell gun: After the immense success shown by the indigenous weapons of India during India's Operation Sindoor, the demand for more powerful and dangerous weapons from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has only increased. During the recent India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan reportedly used Chinese-supplied SH-15 Howitzers guns against India. In order to counter Pakistan in the artilleries threat, India's DRDO is preparing to make a blast with another indigenous weapon. DRDO's 155 artillery shell guns In its recent initiative, DRDO has developed a 155 artillery shell, making India self-reliant in the field of indigenous weapons. For a background information, artillery gun systems are primarily used for indirect fire and can be mounted on different platforms. DRDO's Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) has a 155 mm/52 calibre gun barrel with a chamber volume of 25 litres as against the newer one with chamber volume of 23 litres. Reports also say that the weight of the shell is around 45 kg and it can be fired up to a distance of 24 to 32 km. The DRDO initiative is expected to strengthen India's defense capability and also promote 'Make in India' and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. In addition to this, the new development is expected to save India from buying billions of dollars worth foreign artillery shell gun. DRDO's growth after Operation Sindoor DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat recently said he was hopeful that defence exports will increase after Operation Sindoor as indigenous military equipment has got 'war-tested'. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of the CII Summit here, he also spoke about the recent clearance given by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to the 'execution model' to design and produce India's ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet — the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA). 'By 2034, the development work should be completed, and after that production should start from 2035. The first prototype flight will be ready by end of 2029,' he said. (With inputs from agencies)
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Bharat Forge, Mahindra among private defence suppliers instructed to step up production of munition, carriers
The government is learnt to have reached out to multiple private companies that are into defence equipment production, including Bharat Forge and Mahindra & Mahindra's defence division. This is linked to specific instructions being issued to private vendors for upscaling supplies of certain ammunition, including for anti-drone and smart ammunition, alongside equipment such as armored vehicles that can be integrated with different weaponry — loitering munitions and guided missiles. Instructions have been issued to these private players to step up output of some items, including designated ammunition, over and above what is already being produced by the ordnance factories. Sources in the industry said these suppliers are likely to be summoned for a follow-up meeting shortly. Bharat Forge has a large defence manufacturing facility in Jejuri, near Pune, dedicated to the assembly and integration of guns, vehicles, small and medium arms, and systems. The company had, earlier this year, signed a landmark contract with the Ministry of Defence for supplying 184 indigenously developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS). The 155/52 mm calibre ATAGS was jointly developed with the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The indigenously developed ATAGS can fire projectiles up to 48 km and operates on an all-electric drives that makes it maintenance-free in comparison to regular hydraulic drives. it can move at a speed of 18 kmph, unlike towed guns, which typically move at around 8 kmph. Additionally, the ATAGS has a firing rate of six shells, compared to three for towed guns. Existing ammunition can be successfully fired from the ATAGS without requiring special modifications. Mahindra, too, had obtained a licence from the government to produce small arms and associated ammunition, along with its specialisation in making armoured carriers and non-armoured mobility solutions for the Indian Army. The company also produces the Marksman, a military vehicle designed for urban warfare, and the Rakshak, an armored military utility vehicle. The Indian Army had earlier issued a request for information seeking vendors to manufacture 23mm anti-drone ammunition under the 'Make in India' initiative, which is being overseen by the Directorate General of Army Air Defence. The country's defence production has grown sharply since the launch of the 'Make in India' initiative, reaching a record Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY24. Currently, about 65 per cent of defence equipment is now manufactured domestically, as compared to a 65-70 per cent import dependency around a decade ago. The private sector including companies such as Bharat Forge, Mahindra and the Tata Group are playing an increasingly important role, contributing 21 per cent to total defence production in FY24, alongside fostering innovation and efficiency. India's defence industrial base, apart from the 16 PSUs, now includes over 430 licensed companies, and approximately 16,000 MSMEs. Queries sent to Bharat Forge and Mahindra, and the Ministry of Defence, did not elicit a comment. Aanchal Magazine is Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and reports on the macro economy and fiscal policy, with a special focus on economic science, labour trends, taxation and revenue metrics. With over 13 years of newsroom experience, she has also reported in detail on macroeconomic data such as trends and policy actions related to inflation, GDP growth and fiscal arithmetic. Interested in the history of her homeland, Kashmir, she likes to read about its culture and tradition in her spare time, along with trying to map the journeys of displacement from there. ... Read More Anil Sasi is National Business Editor with the Indian Express and writes on business and finance issues. He has worked with The Hindu Business Line and Business Standard and is an alumnus of Delhi University. ... Read More
