India to deploy indigenous howitzers along Pak, China borders
In a major boost to the Modi government`s `Make-in-India` initiative in the defense sector, the Ministry of Defence has received a proposal from the Indian Army to buy 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) for deployment along the borders with China and Pakistan. The proposal worth over 1 billion USD has been received from the Indian Army and is under discussion. It is expected to be cleared soon and sent for clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security. This would be the first order for the indigenous howitzer which can strike targets at around 50 km and is believed to be the best gun in its class. The forces have been conducting trials of the gun in different altitudes and terrain. They have been upgraded as per the suggestions made by the users. The technology and know-how of raw howitzer have been shared with two private firms - Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge group - by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and they would be supplying the system to the forces, including over 320 high mobility vehicles. The trials of the 155mm/52 caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) were completed at the Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR) between April 26 and May 2. The ATAGS is an indigenous towed artillery gun system project undertaken in mission mode by the DRDO as a part of the artillery modernization program of the Indian Army.
In a major boost to the Modi government`s `Make-in-India` initiative in the defense sector, the Ministry of Defence has received a proposal from the Indian Army to buy 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) for deployment along the borders with China and Pakistan. The proposal worth over 1 billion USD has been received from the Indian Army and is under discussion. It is expected to be cleared soon and sent for clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security. This would be the first order for the indigenous howitzer which can strike targets at around 50 km and is believed to be the best gun in its class. The forces have been conducting trials of the gun in different altitudes and terrain. They have been upgraded as per the suggestions made by the users. The technology and know-how of raw howitzer have been shared with two private firms - Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge group - by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and they would be supplying the system to the forces, including over 320 high mobility vehicles. The trials of the 155mm/52 caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) were completed at the Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR) between April 26 and May 2. The ATAGS is an indigenous towed artillery gun system project undertaken in mission mode by the DRDO as a part of the artillery modernization program of the Indian Army.
