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The defence ministry on Wednesday inked contracts with the Bharat Forge Ltd and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd for the procurement of advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) and high mobility gun towing vehicles respectively at a total cost of about Rs 6,900 crore. With the deals, total contracts worth Rs 1.40 lakh crore have been signed by the ministry for capital procurement till date in the current financial year, according to an official readout. The 155 mm/52 calibre ATAGS will replace the vintage and smaller calibre guns and enhance the artillery capabilities of the Indian Army, the defence ministry said. The procurement of this gun system marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of the Artillery Regiments, enhancing operational readiness, it said. ATAGS, renowned for its exceptional lethality, will play a crucial role in bolstering the Army's firepower by enabling precise and long-range strikes, the ministry added.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a mega deal to procure advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS) for the Indian Army at a cost of Rs 7,000 crore, marking a major step in indigenous manufacturing of such howitzers. The ATAGS is the first indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured 155 mm artillery gun system and its procurement is set to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Army. The gun system features a long 52-calibre barrel, allowing for extended strike range of up to 45 km. The CCS cleared the proposal to procure the ATAGS on Wednesday, top sources said. The defence acquisition council had accorded the initial approval to the procurement around two years ago. Under the deal, a total of 307 guns will be procured along with 327 gun-towing vehicles. The deployment of the gun system along India's western (Pakistan) and northern (China) borders will provide the armed forces with a significant strate