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India Modernizes its Artillery with ATAGS 155mm and High Mobility 6x6 Towing Vehicles.
On March 26, 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defence signed two major contracts worth a combined total of approximately 770 million euros (₹6,900 crore) with domestic companies Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited. Formalized at South Block in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, the agreements cover the procurement of 155mm/52 calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) and high-mobility 6x6 artillery towing vehicles. This milestone reflects a broader effort to modernize the Indian Army's artillery capabilities and reinforces the government’s strategy to build greater self-reliance in the defence sector.
The ATAGS is a 155mm/52 calibre long-range towed artillery system developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Forge to replace older, less capable guns in the Indian Army, offering enhanced range, firepower, and mobility. (Picture source: Indian MoD)
The ATAGS system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) through its Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, is a long-range, towed artillery platform designed to meet the Indian Army’s need for precision, extended-range firepower. Bharat Forge, one of the private sector production partners selected for this system, will be responsible for its manufacturing and integration. The ATAGS has undergone a series of technical trials and validations over recent years and is now being inducted in significant numbers. It is designed to replace older artillery systems of lower calibre and range that are currently in service. With a 155mm calibre and 52-calibre barrel length, the system offers superior range, rate of fire, and mobility compared to legacy platforms.
The contract also includes support elements necessary for operational deployment, including advanced fire control systems, mobility enhancements, and crew protection features. The ATAGS is expected to become a core component of India’s future artillery doctrine, contributing to a shift toward modern, network-enabled and highly mobile artillery regiments capable of rapid deployment and sustained fire support in diverse terrain, from plains to high-altitude regions.
During the signing ceremony, the Ministry of Defence formally recognised the contributions of the DRDO’s ATAGS Project Director, underlining the role of state-led research and its collaboration with private manufacturers in advancing India’s defence capabilities. This contract marks the first time the Indian Army has procured a towed artillery system of this calibre from the private sector, a decision that reflects broader policy shifts aimed at diversifying suppliers and leveraging private sector innovation and manufacturing capacity.
The second contract, signed with Tata Advanced Systems Limited, focuses on the procurement of high mobility 6x6 artillery towing vehicles. These vehicles will provide the necessary logistical and operational support to deploy the ATAGS and other heavy artillery systems across varied operational environments. Designed for strategic mobility and tactical flexibility, the 6x6 vehicles offer enhanced off-road performance, payload capacity, and modular integration with artillery systems and associated support equipment. Their induction is expected to significantly improve the Army’s artillery mobility, especially in remote or rugged areas, where rapid redeployment and logistical agility are essential to operational success.
These vehicles will not only support the deployment of artillery units but also serve a wider logistical role within the Army, reinforcing supply chains and enabling transport of heavy weaponry and equipment. The emphasis on mobility and terrain adaptability reflects current doctrinal priorities of the Indian Army, which include enhanced rapid reaction capabilities and the ability to maintain sustained operations in high-threat or high-altitude environments.
Together, the two contracts represent a broader shift in Indian defence procurement strategy, one that places increasing importance on domestic industrial capabilities and private sector involvement. With these contracts, the cumulative value of defence procurement agreements signed during the 2024–2025 fiscal year now stands at approximately 15.6 billion euros (₹1.40 lakh crore), reflecting the Indian government’s intent to maintain a high pace of capital acquisitions while reinforcing national production capacities. The move aligns with key national initiatives such as “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” which aim to strengthen the domestic defence ecosystem, stimulate employment, and reduce long-term dependency on foreign defence imports.
By investing in modern, indigenous artillery and mobility solutions, India continues its trajectory toward defence self-reliance while adapting its military posture to the evolving demands of modern warfare. The integration of ATAGS howitzers and 6x6 towing vehicles is expected to enhance the Indian Army’s operational capabilities and act as a force multiplier in future ground-based engagements.