Indian Army to Finalize Rs 8,000 Crore Deal for 307 Indigenous 155mm/52 ATAGS Howitzers by March 2025, Army Chief Confirms

The Indian Army is set to acquire a significant boost in firepower with the impending procurement of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) howitzers. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi confirmed this development during his annual press conference ahead of Army Day, stating that the Rs 8,000 crore deal is expected to be finalized by March 2025.

"If all goes as planned, we aim to sign the ATAGS contract before the end of this financial year," General Dwivedi announced. This procurement marks a major step in the Indian Army's artillery modernization efforts and its commitment to indigenous defence production.

The ATAGS is a state-of-the-art 155mm/52 calibre howitzer developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Bharat Forge and the TATA Group. Bharat Forge emerged as the lowest bidder, and negotiations with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are currently underway.

Under the MoD's procurement plan, 60% of the contract is expected to be awarded to Bharat Forge, while the remaining 40% may go to the TATA Group if it matches the price quoted by Bharat Forge. This approach ensures competitive pricing and encourages wider participation in indigenous defence manufacturing.

The ATAGS boasts a range of 35 to 45 kilometers, depending on the ammunition used, and has even achieved a firing range of 47 km during trials. Its induction will significantly enhance the Indian Army's artillery capabilities, providing long-range precision strike capabilities.

This procurement aligns with the government's "Aatmanirbharta" (self-reliance) initiative in defence, with General Dwivedi emphasizing the Army's commitment to indigenous platforms. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance the indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system with extended-range ammunition, potentially reducing reliance on other long-range systems.

In addition to the ATAGS and Pinaka, the Army is also expanding its fleet of 155mm/52 calibre K9 Vajra-T self-propelled tracked artillery guns. A recent contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) will see the procurement of 100 additional K9 Vajra guns, manufactured under license from South Korean defence major Hanwha Defense.

 

[sanket]

Only 307, that too if every thing Goes well

 

[Satya Dev]

For around same amount they ordered 100 K9 SPH from LT-Gujarat's screw driver assembly plant and LT will make more than 200% profit under the ATMANIRBHAR scam!

 

[Enforcer]

For around same amount they ordered 100 K9 SPH from LT-Gujarat's screw driver assembly plant and LT will make more than 200% profit under the ATMANIRBHAR scam!

I think you are forgetting that entire tank chassis also costs money.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

Please do this immediately, it's been decades since we procured new guns,

155/52 calibre ATAGS guns and their designs are getting old now with the OEM waiting for years

not sure what we were waiting for? laser cannons or plasma guns to be invented?

 

[Anant]

This order for 307 guns is atleast 2 years behind schedule. Heck, static artillery itself has become questionable in recent years.

We should have gone with either self-propelled artillery, or with mounted artillery at the least, with a smaller share of static artillery.

Still, even with static artillery, we should have been looking at inducting or having about a thousand of these guns on order by now, not this 307, which, while helpful, is still only a bucket-ful in the swimming pool.