Bharat Forge and its defence subsidiary, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL), are poised to significantly ramp up artillery production, aiming for an output of over 350 guns per year.
This ambitious goal, announced by Chairman and Managing Director Baba Kalyani, would establish KSSL as a major player in the global artillery market.
The company's recent success in exporting nearly 100 artillery guns in 2024 highlights its growing international presence. This achievement demonstrates KSSL's capacity to deliver high-quality, combat-proven systems to foreign customers.
Key export destinations have included Armenia, which has received ATAGS and MArG 155mm systems, and an undisclosed Middle Eastern country, which signed a substantial $155 million contract in 2022 for 155mm guns.
A recent agreement with U.S.-based defence contractor AM General, known for producing the Humvee, signals KSSL's intent to enter the American market. This is unprecedented step for an Indian defence company supplying artillery to U.S.
Building on this momentum, Mr. Kalyani has outlined plans to create what he previously described as "the world's largest artillery manufacturing facility" within India.
This facility, initially announced at DefExpo 2022 and expected to be fully operational within three years from it, is projected to produce more than 350 guns annually.
This level of production would surpass that of many established global manufacturers. This increased capacity reflects a dramatic rise from the previous production rate, showcasing the rapid growth of India's private defence industry.
KSSL's export focus is now expanding to include the United States and Europe, markets traditionally dominated by large, established defence companies.
The partnership with AM General will focus on co-developing and supplying advanced artillery systems, including various mounted, towed, and ultra-light guns in both 105mm and 155mm calibers.
This collaboration not only underscores KSSL's technological capabilities but also supports India's broader "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which promotes domestic defence production and exports.
Europe also presents a significant growth opportunity. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, combined with increasing energy costs, has impacted European manufacturing capabilities. This has created a potential supply gap that Indian defence manufacturers like KSSL are well-positioned to address.
Despite its international achievements, KSSL awaits a significant order from the Indian Army for the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
The ATAGS, a 155mm/52-caliber howitzer, was jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). It is designed to modernize the Army's artillery capabilities.
The ATAGS boasts a world-record firing range of 48 kilometers and features advanced automation. The howitzer successfully completed field trials by May 2022, and the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 307 units in March 2023.
However, a firm order from the Army has yet to materialize, leaving both KSSL and TASL in a holding pattern. The initial contract, reportedly worth ₹3,365 crore (approximately $400 million USD) for 150 guns, is currently stalled due to ongoing commercial negotiations and metallurgical testing.
Mr. Kalyani has consistently expressed confidence in securing domestic orders, emphasizing that KSSL meets all the Army's requirements in terms of performance, quality, and production capacity.
The company's product range, which includes the ATAGS, Bharat 52, Garuda 105, and various ultra-light howitzers, provides solutions suited to India's varied geographical conditions.
Despite this, the slow pace of new artillery inductions by the Army since the 2020 Galwan clash has led to increased public pressure to prioritize indigenous systems like the ATAGS over imported alternatives.
