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.

 

[Hari Sud]

If the Indian Army wants the Israeli gun then they would reject it on one pretext or other.

 

[Satya Dev]

Since 2010 when Bharat Forge unveiled it's first Bharat-52 gun, they have developed 105mm Garuda mounted gun, ATAGS, ULH in Ti-alloy, all steel towed gun, MArG-BR & now this 45 cal mounted gun - but how many have been taken by our import army? Zero.

 

[GMR]

Hats off to such companies who r still investing in developments even in absence of any commitment from armed forces. Because of this non-committal attitude by our forces, private sector is not interested in R&D.

 

[Ashutosh Shukla]

recent apache accident,still want more apache's but same would had happen to indian system then close of that gun system, out of all three forces, army only interested in foriegn items. its mistake of MOD they are not able to tell the army dont be interested in foriegn imports, ATAGS is a big example.army doesnot have gun system like that,still army is not interested,they want lighter gun

 

[Vf Feb]

Army shld atleast order 50 guns in each category ..39 / 45 category with Trucks

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Since 2010 when Bharat Forge unveiled it's first Bharat-52 gun, they have developed 105mm Garuda mounted gun, ATAGS, ULH in Ti-alloy, all steel towed gun, MArG-BR & now this 45 cal mounted gun - but how many have been taken by our import army? Zero.

When any DRDO product not inducted by Army then every body shout we should sell DRDO... But what about now.. now to whom they will sell Bharat Forge..

 

[Akshat]

If the Indian Army wants the Israeli gun then they would reject it on one pretext or other.

It’s not a DRDO gun with faulty design. Our patriotic army will scoop it up.

 

[Akshat]

Hats off to such companies who r still investing in developments even in absence of any commitment from armed forces. Because of this non-committal attitude by our forces, private sector is not interested in R&D.

Who said the armed forces are not committed or private sector is not interested? Isn’t Tata investing in the plane for which it bought IPR and is now modifying? Isn’t L&T investing in light tank and FICV? As for armed forces, ain’t they buying drones and armored vehicles from private sector? Haven’t they given 90% funding to L&T for FICV? Many such examples littered across the country. Problem arises when DRDO gets involved and messes up the design process entirely like ATAGS where now army has to spend massive sums to buy new trucks and thus reduce order size itself.

 

[Akshat]

Since 2010 when Bharat Forge unveiled it's first Bharat-52 gun, they have developed 105mm Garuda mounted gun, ATAGS, ULH in Ti-alloy, all steel towed gun, MArG-BR & now this 45 cal mounted gun - but how many have been taken by our import army? Zero.

When have they ever given a gun for trials and Army imported a foreign gun?

 

[Akshat]

When any DRDO product not inducted by Army then every body shout we should sell DRDO... But what about now.. now to whom they will sell Bharat Forge..

DRDO gets public funds. So we own them. And they don’t get export success like Kalyani is doing.

Not to mention, army has not yet purchased anything in this category from abroad or even closed the relevant tenders so the decision is still not out,

 

[Baba Baati Baachur]

When have they ever given a gun for trials and Army imported a foreign gun?

Why not our Imported Army take Bharat 52 instead of Israeli Athos and Atmos?

 

[Sandeep]

Why not our Imported Army take Bharat 52 instead of Israeli Athos and Atmos?

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.

 

[Sandeep]

If the Indian Army wants the Israeli gun then they would reject it on one pretext or other.

That's not how defence deals are made. The army conduct trials based on the requirements they need and any company or gun that passes proceeds to the next stage where they look at the final cost and life cycle costs and then the defence minister takes a final call but priority goes to Indian companies first so if a Indian gun passes the requirement then that foreign gun is dropped.

 

[Akshat]

Why not our Imported Army take Bharat 52 instead of Israeli Athos and Atmos?

Please show me where has our army issued any orders for either of those guns. In fact, they have released a tender for 20 ton capacity GCVs, which is a proof that ATAGS is a guarantee now. Those GCVs ain’t required for any other gun but ATAGS, a creation of our amazingly talented DRDO.

 

[Sandeep]

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.

 

[Hari Sud]

That's not how defence deals are made. The army conduct trials based on the requirements they need and any company or gun that passes proceeds to the next stage where they look at the final cost and life cycle costs and then the defence minister takes a final call but priority goes to Indian companies first so if a Indian gun passes the requirement then that foreign gun is dropped.

5 years of delay and then rejecting on flimsy ground of 15 tons, knowing fully well that extra weight has given it larger range and higher elevation to cross the mountain tops…… shame on them.

 

[Akshat]

5 years of delay and then rejecting on flimsy ground of 15 tons, knowing fully well that extra weight has given it larger range and higher elevation to cross the mountain tops…… shame on them.

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.

 

[Hari Sud]

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.

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

 

[Hari Sud]

That's not how defence deals are made. The army conduct trials based on the requirements they need and any company or gun that passes proceeds to the next stage where they look at the final cost and life cycle costs and then the defence minister takes a final call but priority goes to Indian companies first so if a Indian gun passes the requirement then that foreign gun is dropped.

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.

 

[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