Bharat Forge Unveils Plans for Advanced Truck-Mounted Artillery Systems

Indian defence manufacturer Bharat Forge continues to innovate in the artillery sector, revealing the development of a 155mm 39 calibre truck-mounted gun system that has already secured an order from Armenia. The company, led by Baba Kalyani, is also working on an even more powerful 155mm 45 calibre variant.

The 39 calibre system offers increased mobility and terrain adaptability due to its 4x4 wheeled truck platform. This design's effectiveness is reinforced by a significant 72-unit order from the Armenian military. Additionally, the Indian Army has expressed interest in the system, conducting trials to evaluate its suitability within India's diverse landscapes.

Bharat Forge has also hinted at the progression of a 45 calibre truck-mounted gun system. Experts speculate that this system may draw upon the design of the company's existing MArG 155-ER towed howitzer, potentially with modifications for enhanced truck-based mobility. It remains unclear whether this development is tailored to the Indian Army's needs or intended for export.

Specifics regarding the 45 calibre system's firing trials have not been disclosed. However, Bharat Forge's dedication to advancing its artillery capabilities is clear. These developments solidify the company's position at the forefront of next-generation mobile artillery solutions for both domestic and international defence markets.

Bharat Forge has an established track record of developing ATAGS-based 155mm 52 calibre truck-mounted gun systems. The potential addition of a 155mm 45 calibre system suggests a strategic focus on catering to the evolving demands of the global export market.

 

[Akshat]

Army never issued a work order until they began testing. They issued after liking the Israeli gun. Extra features are an asset.

The Army arms buyers are spoiled babies

Extra features are an asset if they are extra. In ATAGS, they are a replacement for critical features.

As for work order, I don’t even know what you mean by this. Army had a tender, and Israel won fair and square. But still our patriotic army went in for extra trials and finally cancelled it, as ATAGS was ready.

Regarding the weight. Army has never really asked for a number. Army only said that the guns should be compatible with existing GCVs. That is something any agency making weapons for army would know. That’s a basic thing.

So the question that now arises is, why did DRDO intentionally breach the weight class? It’s clear that they wanted the gun to fail and hamper the army. Now army is forced to buy a lower number of guns. There should be an investigation into this.

 

[Akshat]

Spare me your lessons. Think, if they were so concerned about 3 extra tons then they should not gone ahead and tested it. Rejecting it after test makes all weight arguments fishy.

Who said it has been rejected? Why so much inferiority complex?

 

[Official]

Excellent export opportunity to the baltic states who are still using the pathetic D series ancient soviet field guns. I just wonder when will IA will upgrade thier 39 cal guns maybe in the next decade.

 

[Jay K Sinhal]

But the Indian army has different objectives such as discourage Bharat Forge, choose foreign over indigenous and so on.

 

[Utopian]

Ahh. Indian army the Last of colonial hags left in india.
Sorry but patriotism can't be the cover of all the murk and folly rotting in deep underbelly of a colonial military ( coz the rules & even the way they act is still colonial)
The men in green could never overcome the Victorian hangover
Here word of man in power is more supreme than wisdom and judgment

Then this cocktail of babuism with colonialism is much dangerous, cunning and dangerous.

Don't forget this patriotic army was not even bothered of bulletproof jackets and helmets until a few years ago.
They can't be trusted . India's first scam was Jeep scam by our beloved army, babus and netads

 

[Prashu Sam]

The army hasn't bought the ATHOS or going to. It's been confirmed that the military will sign a order for 300 ATAGS in the first batch. Stop believing the corrupt jihadi party propaganda who cries corruption and money laundering to hide their own sins.

Hope you are right buddy, All the signs shows that ATHOS is favored by rigged system of procurement. One good news is Athos not used in Israel for Gaza so there is no real field experience. hope that is enough to keep them away.

Bharat Forge, TATA has real good solution. Even i trust Adani, if collaborate with DRDO can produce locally made guns instead of imported. Adani new defense complex is promising and huge infra investments made. i wish they focus on local products and some R&D with help of ADE, DRDO and keep themself away from import screwdriver work.

 

[Torontodude]

This is really good news that we are developing so many different type of artillery guns that the army needs. They have confirmed a order will be placed this year for at least 300 ATAGS and want to buy towed guns but they should buy more mounted guns because it allows them to shoot and scoot and change positions very quickly to prevent any incoming artillery from destroying the guns.

Another advantage is that having mounted guns allows us to move rapidly with our strike corps keeping up a quick, sustained and pressurised attack momentum that isn't held back with artillery delays.

Currently all of our mounted guns are mounted on wheels. Kalyani also needs to develop a mounted gun on tracks which allows it to move on any type of terrain as off the road wheels can get stuck in the mud or there could be minor obstructions like hills that come in the way which are too steep to go over. Another problem is that off the road dragging a artillery gun makes it very slow and difficult to mobilise when it's urgently needed. We need it to be track mounted by either using the BMP 2 or Arjun chassis body with a powerful engine so that it can overcome any obstacles like muddy terrain, marsh lands, thick snow and ice, heavy rainfall, steep terrain or steep hills where artillery guns are ideally placed as it gives them a military advantage.

Unfortunately IA doesn't believe in the concept of mounted guns. There has never been any support for mounted. Maybe they think it's for guerrilla type armies operating in Africa and not for the established army. Their recent tender for towed guns is proof of not favouring mounted guns.

 

[Torontodude]

Did the army ask for those extra features? And what do you mean by flimsy? All of army’s GCVs have a limit of 15 tons. So how is that flimsy?

Despite that, army has ordered new GCVs just to order ATAGS.

Bharat Forge has practically every type of gun IA needs including ultra light howitzers. Where are the orders?