India's defence manufacturing sector has achieved a significant breakthrough with bulk production clearances granted for the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System. Serial production is slated to begin next financial year, paving the way for large-scale induction into the Indian Army.

Under the finalised procurement agreement, Bharat Forge will manufacture 60 per cent of the 307 ordered units, while TATA Advanced Systems will produce the remaining portion. Production runs are scheduled to begin in the second half of the coming year, leading towards formal deliveries starting in the first quarter of financial year 2028 at a steady rate of 15 units annually.

Although the army's broader towed artillery requirement exceeds 1,400 units, the initial induction is capped at 307 due to logistical considerations. The robust weapon system weighs around 18 tons because of its advanced electromechanical automation, necessitating specialised towing vehicles distinct from standard infrastructure built for artillery under 15 tons.

To address these weight parameters for future bulk procurements, lighter variants are being explored under domestic defence acquisition categories. Nevertheless, the ATAGS stands out for its exceptional performance, low maintenance, and proven export track record, marking a transformative leap forward for indigenous defence capabilities.

While Armenia has previously exported and operated these systems, the Indian Army's initial order stands at 307 guns.

Bharat Forge has emerged as the lowest bidder, securing a major share to manufacture 60 percent of the guns, while TATA Advanced Systems Limited will produce the remaining 40 percent.

Manufacturing by Bharat Forge is expected to begin in the second half of next year, with deliveries commencing in the first quarter of the financial year 2028.

The delivery schedule aims to achieve a rate of 15 guns per year over a four-year window.

Questions have been raised regarding why the order is limited to 307 units when total army requirements range between 1,400 and 1,500 towed guns. The primary constraint involves logistics, as the army's existing towing infrastructure is designed for artillery weighing less than 15 tons.

Because the ATAGS weighs approximately 18 tons due to its high level of automation and electromechanical drives, operating it requires specialised gun towing vehicles, adding to infrastructural costs.

Consequently, larger future orders for lighter guns under 15 tons are being planned, alongside discussions around developing a lighter variant of the ATAGS under the 'Buy Indian-IDDM' category.

Despite these weight and logistical trade-offs, the ATAGS remains a class apart with low maintenance requirements, and service induction is set to officially begin in 2028.

Agencies