Indian Army's First ATAGS Regiment of 18 Units On Track for Induction by Feb 2027

The Indian Army is set to significantly enhance its artillery firepower with the first regiment of the indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) scheduled for induction by February 2027.

This development marks a major milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing and the modernisation of its armed forces.

The initial regiment, which will consist of 18 of the state-of-the-art 155mm/52 calibre guns, is on a clear path to deployment.

According to RP Pandey, the Project Director for ATAGS, the first gun system is ready for its mandatory "first of product model test." The induction of the regiment is planned to be completed within one year following this crucial evaluation, positioning it to be operational in early 2027.

This procurement is part of a larger initiative formalised in March 2025, when the Ministry of Defence awarded contracts valued at approximately ₹6,900 crore.

The agreements cover the acquisition of 307 ATAGS units from Bharat Forge Limited and 327 specialised high-mobility 6x6 vehicles for towing the artillery, which will be supplied by Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with private industry, the ATAGS is a world-class artillery system. It is celebrated for its exceptional range, having set a record by firing shells to a distance of 48.074 kilometres during trials.

Key features include an all-electric drive for reliability, a burst firing rate of five rounds in 60 seconds, and quick deployment capability, allowing it to be ready for action in under three minutes.

The system's advanced automation, including an automatic command and control system with night-fighting capabilities, ensures superior performance on the modern battlefield.

The introduction of ATAGS is a critical component of the Indian Army's Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, which began in 1999.

The new system is intended to replace older, smaller calibre guns, such as the 105mm Indian Field Gun and the 130mm M-46, providing a substantial upgrade in range, precision, and overall effectiveness.

The successful collaboration between DRDO, private companies, and the military on this project highlights a new era of synergy in India’s defence ecosystem, promising to redefine the nation's artillery capabilities on the global stage.

 

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[Safari]

DRDO’s 8x8 truck-mounted ATAGS would be much better; towed artillery in Ukraine gets hammered like anything.

 

[Parveen Gahlot]

Why to test again, ATAGS was already tested.

 

[Dredd]

DRDO’s 8x8 truck-mounted ATAGS would be much better; towed artillery in Ukraine gets hammered like anything.

Indian Army would certainly change its procurement from towed to MGS, It already reduced the number of ATAGS procurement and it should reduce the number further.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Why to test again, ATAGS was already tested.

If you buy a car, then after it is delivered, will you not test it? Even though you know that thousands of people have already bought that same car before.

 

[Frank]

Towed artillery is useless; we need MGs.

 

[Kira]

If you buy a car, then after it is delivered, will you not test it? Even though you know that thousands of people have already bought that same car before.

Yeah, but this ain't no car, and there are other buyers except for Armenia, in very small numbers. It's one thing to test these guns in different climates and terrains, but there is no point in forever repeating the cycle like they are doing now.

 

[PRASANTh]

Towed artillery is useless; we need MGs.

The fewer the number of parts, the fewer the points of failure. Towed guns, although less agile, are far more robust than tracked and wheeled howitzers. The PzH 2000 broke down like crazy in Ukraine. In South Korea, during a skirmish with North Korea, one of the three K9 Thunders involved broke down. Do we need MGs - yes. Do we need TGs - yes. It's never either/or in warfare. We need all.

 

[Sandeep]

Indian Army would certainly change its procurement from towed to MGS, It already reduced the number of ATAGS procurement and it should reduce the number further.

No that’s completely wrong. The ATAGS has the longest firing range in the entire world. This gives us a strategic advantage over the enemy as we can hit their targets with ease and precision and without having to worry about any incoming shells that can hit our own guns, camps, bases or the area we are defending.

So we should get more guns that gives us an advantage. There’s no point in having an artillery gun that has the same or similar range as your own gun. We don’t have a clear advantage then.

 

[Sandeep]

The ATAGS is one of the best artillery gun in the world because it has the longest range and it’s a reliable, accurate, effective, efficient, long lifespan and it has an automatic loading system. This gun will easily be in service for the next 40 years.

However as production begins we should increase the amount of indigenous content that we use to make our guns to at least 95% or more.

 

[Goutam]

Yeah, but this ain't no car, and there are other buyers except for Armenia, in very small numbers. It's one thing to test these guns in different climates and terrains, but there is no point in forever repeating the cycle like they are doing now.

To start a new regiment they have to train the soilders. This is the best artillery in the world right now. India have never used this type of artillery before. It will take time to train soilders. This much time is enough.

 

[Kira]

To start a new regiment they have to train the soilders. This is the best artillery in the world right now. India have never used this type of artillery before. It will take time to train soilders. This much time is enough.

True, inducting guns and training soldiers can go simultaneously, as the complete quota of guns won't be arriving before two or three years, so they would have plenty of time to train all soldiers.