Indian Army's RFI for 155mm/52 calibre Towed Gun System sparks debate on relevance in modern warfare

The Indian Army's Request for Information (RFI) for a 155mm/52 calibre Towed Gun System (TGS) has prompted discussion over the relevance of this type of artillery in contemporary warfare. The move seems to be made specifically for the Israeli ATHOS system, but towed guns' vulnerability to new threats is still a cause for concern.

Major General Atanu K. Pattanaik (Retd) emphasises that the ATHOS, which weighs less than its indigenous cousin, the ATAGS, benefits from the RFI's weight limit of 15 tonnes. This gives rise to suspicions about possible bias towards the Israeli system.

Pattanaik highlights the sobering conclusion drawn from the battle in Ukraine: towed guns are more vulnerable to counter-battery fire because sophisticated long-range weapons can engage targets more quickly. Their vulnerability within the reduced reaction time of 4 minutes is heightened by their limited mobility, which raises concerns about their continued usefulness.

In order to maintain strategic autonomy, the general stresses how crucial it is for the military and media to remain vigilant. He issues a warning that India's long-term security objectives may be hampered by depending on outdated technologies like tow guns.

The Indian Army should use this RFI as a critical opportunity to reassess its artillery requirements and rank options that best suit the demands of both strategic autonomy and modern warfare.

 

[Instant Karma]

Dhanush is far better than ATHOS.

 

[Kira]

I believe they should acquire much less towed guns,and far more mobile guns than previously envisioned.Recent and future experience with increasing proliferation of drones and precise target acquisition technologies certainly testifies to that logic.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

With proliferation of 155 mm artillery guns which can be made in India, serious question are certain to be raised on IA's intention.
That being said, strategy is a field best let for the specialist, in this case IA officers, to decide. Just ensure the officers drafting the RFI is not drafted by members of Chandigarh Lobby.

 

[Sudha]

It's taxpayers money flushed down the drain. The best chance of survival is mobility. In light of Ukraine war think it is better to drop the idea of purchasing towed artillery. Surprised that they are still egging for towed guns & the RFI does look skewed in favour of Israeli guns.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

In light of Ukraine war think it is better to drop the idea of purchasing towed artillery. Surprised that they are still egging for towed guns & the RFI does look skewed in favour of Israeli guns.

Towed guns could have an advantage in the mountains. Remember, Ukraine is no Himalayas. It is actually too flat. Dynamics change with terrain. In this case, mountainous landscapes of Himalayas where there aren't many roads to access peaks above elevtion of 5000 mts, a light artillery can be airdropped using heavy lift helis. Untowed artillery cannnot service such locations effectively.

I dont know how that fits into Indian Army's scheme of things. But just my two paise.

 

[Prashu Sam]

With proliferation of 155 mm artillery guns which can be made in India, serious question are certain to be raised on IA's intention.
That being said, strategy is a field best let for the specialist, in this case IA officers, to decide. Just ensure the officers drafting the RFI is not drafted by members of Chandigarh Lobby.

Stage is set and plan in works for several years to get ATHOS in by
Chandigarh Lobby,corrupt IA, Corrupt A* group. If you notice it is systematic efforts. RFI is rigged and now waiting for general election as they do not want scandal at this stage. So many Towed Guns are not required if 307 ATAGS, 114 Dhanush and 145 M-77 inducted. The focus must be on MgS now. They all know it but still inflating the need. You will see paid articles, paid Youtube bloggers start demonizing the Dhanush/ATAGS and make it as if ATHOS is savior from heaven. Very SAD for India. Hope our Lazy bureaucrats work hard as they usually do and delay ATHOS deal for another 20 years.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Our Army(IA) should note, I is for India not for import.

 

[Indrakumar Salam]

How much difference will it make for an 18 ton ATAGS to a 15 ton ATHOS in logistic?

 

[Ramsses CDXX]

‣Why should IA bankroll DRDO 18-tonne paap if it cannot adhere to GSQR limitations and cannot make systems comparable to OEM? At one end we want IA to modernise & transform and at the other end we expect IA to saddle itself with a white elephant.
‣For reference Caesar MGS weighs ~18 tonnes while ATAGS TGS weighs 18 tonne. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

1. Nexter has collab with L&T for Trajan TGS that weighs 13 tonnes❗
2. Elbit System (Soltam) has collab with Kalyani for Athos TGS that weighs 15 tonnes❗
3. Kalyani makes Bharat-52 that weighs ≤ 14.5 tonnes❗

 

[Slow Death]

Our Army(IA) should note, I is for India not for import.

It was never "our" army. It is an institution of the crooks meant to serve the crooks. The only ones who are "our" are the poor footsoldiers who come from humble backgrounds, who, in order to escape unemployment and starvation, sacrifice themselves to the hyenas of Indian Army who abuse them everyday and even siphon off the money allocated for these footsoldiers. When these footsoldiers pass away, the mournings are for the poor man who has left behind a destitute family whose future stares into the dark. Nobody gives a flying F about these officer ranked crooks.

 

[Anil]

You will see paid articles, paid Youtube bloggers start demonizing the Dhanush/ATAGS and make it as if ATHOS is savior from heaven.

Jitni Garmi bhari he vo DRDO me Jaake dikhao aur baad me bolo.

 

[NSR]

Buy only Indian MGS, TGS, and Fixed Howitzers and operate.
If they are deficient on some requirements like weight, then ask the manufacturer to reduce and improve the product.

Spend that hard foreign exchange on more valuable products needed by Indian armed forces.

 

[desigandu]

No foreign guns here please...we must go domestic only...I think we will go domestic - I am pretty sure.

 

[Pink Panther]

Dhanush is far better than ATHOS.

Yes, also Vehicle mounted Artillery is way better than towed artillery in mountainous roads that are narrow and winding, the truck that tows this artillery together with the artillery will be more than 25-30 feet long and will be hard to tow.

 

[Hari Sud]

This paper is encouraging Israel’s back door entry.

 

[arunava roy]

It's to give orders to AWIL, post dhanush production,52 calibre howitzer will be produced.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

We cannot compare Bharath and Ukraine landscapes. It is not necessary that whatever works in Ukraine will work here. May be in our mountains we need towed guns.

 

[Sandeep]

No matter what India is not going to buy a foreign made gun. Currently we have a variety of 100% indigenously designed and made in India artillery guns. India has invested a lot of time and money on indigenous guns with a private or government companies and a foreign gun wouldn't help our military industry and companies.

India should focus more on developing guns that can shoot and scoot which can move quickly to avoid being targeted by artillery fire or drones. We need more guns that are flexible and easily movable and we have those options but we need to design and develop our own indigenous SPH which are more ideal like the K9-Vajra but we also have the ATAGS, truck mounted Marg or jeep mounted guns as well.

 

[BCharlie]

Dhanush is far better than ATHOS.

Yes, but ATHOS will become better if commissions are high & secretly paid.