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In a significant advancement for India's indigenous defence capabilities, the Mounted Gun System (MGS) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its partner Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) is undergoing final modifications to reduce its weight.
The prototype is being optimised to bring its total weight under 30 tonnes, a critical requirement for enhancing its mobility across diverse terrains.
Project officials have confirmed that all necessary analysis for the weight reduction has been completed. The initial prototype, which weighed 31.5 tonnes, is being refined to meet the Indian Army's stringent operational mandates.
This final optimisation phase clears the path for the advanced artillery system to commence comprehensive user trials shortly.
The MGS is a formidable 155mm, 52-calibre artillery gun mounted on a high-mobility 8x8 vehicle. It is engineered to provide the army with rapid and precise firepower, a crucial advantage in the mountainous regions along India's borders.
The system's key features include a high level of automation and the ability to fire shells at targets over 45 kilometres away. Its "shoot-and-scoot" capability, allowing it to be deployed in under 80 seconds and relocated in 85 seconds, is vital for surviving counter-battery fire in modern combat scenarios.
This artillery platform is a product of the 'Make in India' initiative, underscoring the nation's push towards self-reliance in the defence sector.
The successful partnership between the government's DRDO and private industry giant Kalyani Group highlights a maturing domestic defence ecosystem capable of producing sophisticated weaponry.
The upcoming user trials will be a crucial test of the gun's performance and reliability before a potential induction into the Indian Army.
The MGS is poised to become a key asset in the Army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, which aims to modernise its arsenal. It will complement other indigenous systems like the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), upon which the MGS's gun is based, and the K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers.
The successful development and deployment of the Kalyani MGS will mark another major milestone in India's journey toward creating a self-sufficient and technologically advanced defence force.
