Kalyani Group's 155mm/52 ATAGS Guns to Achieve Over 80% Indigenous Content, Focusing on Indian Army's Rs 7,000 Crore Order

In a major boost to India's defence self-reliance, Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge Ltd., is set to significantly increase the indigenous content of its Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) to over 80%.

This move aligns with the Indian government's "Make in India" initiative and strengthens the country's domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

Previously, the ATAGS, a 155mm/52 caliber howitzer developed in partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), had approximately 60% indigenous content.

KSSL's chairman announced that by manufacturing nearly all components in-house, the company will surpass the 80% mark. This signifies a substantial reduction in reliance on imported parts, making the ATAGS a truly Indian-developed and manufactured weapon system.

This development follows a significant contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in March 2025 for 307 ATAGS units. KSSL, as the lowest bidder, will manufacture 184 guns, while Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will produce the remaining 123.

The contract specifies the use of the Kalyani variant of the ATAGS, which has demonstrated superior performance and cost-effectiveness during trials. The order is split roughly 60/40 between Kalyani and Tata, promoting healthy competition within the Indian private defence sector.

Increasing indigenous content to over 80% is a strategic imperative. By domestically producing crucial parts, including barrels, breech systems, and sophisticated electronics, KSSL mitigates risks associated with international supply chains and geopolitical uncertainties. This approach strengthens India's defence autonomy and aligns with the national goal of becoming a global defence manufacturing hub.

The ATAGS is a modern artillery system designed to replace the Indian Army's older guns. It boasts a firing range of up to 48 kilometers, one of the longest in its class, and features advanced automation, a software-based firing system, and the ability to operate in varied terrains.

The MoD contract, valued at approximately Rs 7,000 crore (around US$800 million), also includes 327 gun-towing vehicles, enhancing the Army's operational capabilities.

KSSL is expanding its production capacity at its Pune facility, which has been described as potentially the largest artillery manufacturing facility globally. The company aims to produce over 350 guns annually, equivalent to one gun per day. This high production rate will not only meet the Indian Army's requirements but also support exports.

KSSL has already exported 100 artillery guns in 2024, including a significant sale to Armenia, demonstrating its growing international presence. India has been actively promoting defence exports, and this increased production capacity positions KSSL to be a major contributor.

 

[De_SECULARISED]

What critical techs belongs to these remaining 20%.

 

[Vishal Trivedi]

What critical techs belongs to these remaining 20%.

Eletronic algorithm suit which Bharat forge gets from Israel. Rest all moving parts indigenous.

 

[desigandu]

Great, now the aim should be 100% domestic Bharat parts, spares, software and even chips!

Overall we must get atmanirbharta by 2035 at least for most Army stuff and by 2047 in all naval and air force weapon systems!

 

[Sandeep]

It’s absolutely essential and critical that we need to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture it in India using Indian raw materials. The amount of indigenous content must increase as quickly as possible and we shouldn’t just take the easiest option and just make foreign expensive import and be reliant on them.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

The ATAGS, at 18 tons, is good enough for plains in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab, J&K, up to 11,000 ft. For heights in Ladakh, Northern Kashmir, Himachal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, Bharat Forge must develop a lighter version using titanium and other alloys, and carbon composites, but must avoid reducing the chamber size and length of the barrel. Both TASL and Bharat Forge must build and design factories capable of producing 600 guns annually to re-equip the artillery regiments in 5 to 6 years. Bharat Forge, TASL, and L&T must join hands to produce a tracked version to replace the Korean guns and increase their numbers to over 700, reducing the towed versions from 1,550. Similarly, the mounted gun systems should be increased from 800 to 1,200. The towed version must be reduced from 1,550 to less than 600.