The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making significant headway in developing a lighter, more agile variant of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
Sources close to the programme confirm that this new iteration, designed to weigh under 15 tons, is on track to commence internal trials by late 2026.
This development specifically addresses the Indian Army’s requirement for a high-mobility gun system capable of operating in difficult terrain, offering a substantial reduction from the approximately 18-ton mass of the existing ATAGS platform.
Engineering validation for the critical components of this redesigned system—designated as the Advanced Light Towed Artillery Gun System (ALTGS)—has reportedly been completed.
According to officials, the procurement process for these newly engineered parts is scheduled to begin in early 2026. Following procurement, the prototype assembly will commence immediately, with the aim of initiating internal testing before the year concludes.
This accelerated timeline reflects the urgency to field a versatile artillery solution for high-altitude and mountainous regions.
To achieve the stringent 15-ton weight limit without compromising lethality, the ALTGS incorporates several major design modifications.
Most notably, the system features a reduced 23-litre chamber—down from the massive 25-litre chamber of the standard ATAGS—and a significantly lighter barrel profile.
Furthermore, the variant retains the ATAGS' signature all-electric drive technology, which eliminates the maintenance-heavy hydraulic systems found in legacy artillery, thereby ensuring higher reliability and smoother operation in field conditions.
The strategic implications of the ALTGS are profound, with a massive potential order book on the horizon.
Defence officials have indicated that once the system demonstrates its capabilities, the Indian Army’s requirement could range from an initial 400 guns to a realistic estimate of 1,200 units over the next decade and a half.
The ALTGS is envisioned as a comprehensive replacement for the ageing inventory of 105 mm Indian Field Guns (IFG), Light Field Guns (LFG), and the remaining 130 mm M-46 catapult systems.
If the internal trials in late 2026 proceed as planned, the system could be ready for induction by 2029–2030.
Such a milestone would position the ALTGS as a unique global contender—potentially the world’s first fully indigenous 155 mm/52-calibre towed gun under 15 tons equipped with sixth-generation features such as digital fire control and smart ammunition compatibility.
This would effectively leapfrog contemporary systems like South Korea’s EVO-105 and France’s CAESAR in terms of the weight-to-lethality ratio, offering the Indian Army a decisive edge in firepower mobility.
