Advanced towed artillery gun system

The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)^[9] is a towed 155 mm/52 calibre howitzer that is being developed for the Indian Army by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL).^[10]

Advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS)
ATAGS during firing trials
Type	Towed Howitzer
Place of origin	India
Service history
Used by	Armenian Ground Forces Indian Army (planned)
Production history
Designer	Armament Research and Development Establishment Tata Power SED Bharat Forge
Designed	2013-2017
Manufacturer	Kalyani Strategic Systems Tata Advanced Systems[1]
Produced	2019
No. built	6
Specifications
Mass	18 tonnes (18 long tons; 20 short tons)[2]
Barrel length	8060 mm
Crew	6-8
Caliber	155 mm/52 Cal
Action	Auto gun alignment and positioning
Breech	Screw type
Recoil	Electro-rheological/Magneto-rheological
Elevation	Servo based, -3/+75°
Traverse	Servo based, ±25°, 25 m diameter
Rate of fire	Burst: 5 rounds in 60 sec Intense: 10 rounds in 2 min 30 sec Sustained: 60 rounds in 60 min
Effective firing range	48.074 km[3]
Maximum firing range	48.074 km (High Explosive Base Bleed Shell)[4][5] 78 km (Ramjet Propelled Shell) (under development)[6]
Feed system	Automatic ammunition handling including crane[7]
Sights	Thermal sight Gunners display
Maximum speed	With towing vehicle 80 km/h, Self propelled 12 km/h with 95 kW APU[8]

Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems are the development and manufacturing partners for the project.^[9]

Development

Advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS)

The ATAGS project was started in 2013 by DRDO to replace older guns in service in the Indian Army with a modern 155mm artillery gun.^[11] DRDO laboratory Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) partnered with private players Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence Naval System, Tata Power SED and public sector unit Advanced Weapons and Equipment India for this purpose.^[12]

With ARDE as the nodal laboratory, development is being assisted by Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE), Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), and Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL).^[13] It was part of the Development cum Production Partner programme (DCPP) of DRDO.^[14]

The development of the gun took about 4 years and is expected to be complete by March 2017. The delay in completion of the project was attributed to realization of ordnance and recoil system and supply issue with manufacturing of sub-systems. The gun is expected to start user trials in 2017 and production is expected to start in 2019.^{[15][16][17][18]}

It was first publicly showcased at 68th Republic Day parade on 26 January 2017. Both the prototypes of TASL and KSSL was part of the parade.^[19][20] For the first time, an indigenously developed howitzer gun, the ATAGS was included in the 21-gun salute alongside the British origin 25-pounder as part of the 76th Independence day celebrations. Two howitzer were included in the battery that fired the 21 gun salute.^[21] ATAGS is being fast-tracked by Indian Army for induction as of 27 September 2022.^[22]

Design

The gun consists of a barrel, breech mechanism, muzzle brake and recoil mechanism to fire 155 mm calibre ammunition with a firing range of 48 km. It has an all-electric drive to ensure reliability and minimum maintenance over a long period of time. It has advanced features like high mobility, quick deployment, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system, automatic command and control system with night capability in direct-fire mode.^[16] The gun is two tons lighter than guns in the same category and is designed to provide better accuracy and range and is capable of firing five successive rounds in short duration.

It is compatible with C3I systems like Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS) called Shakti for technical fire control, fire planning, deployment management, operational logistics management of the Indian Army.^[23][24]

The gun is towed by Ashok Leyland FAT 6×6 truck and can change over from towing mode to firing mode within 2 minutes.^[25]

Ramjet Propelled Artillery Shell

IIT Madras along with IIT Kanpur, ARDE and Research Centre Imarat (RCI) are working on redesigning an existing 155 mm shell using ramjet propulsion that can cover 60 km+ range. It will be made compatible with ATAGS. The shell will use precision guidance kit for trajectory correction. IIT Madras will ensure that Munitions India can manufacture the shells.^[26]

155 mm Smart Artillery Shell

IIT Madras is working with Munitions India to develop 155 mm Smart Artillery Shells with a CEP of less than 10 meters that are compatible with firing from ATAGS without the need for modification. Utilizing fin stabilization, canard control, and a three-mode fuse operation, the shell will be guided by NavIC satellites. Its range will be 8 km at minimum and 38 km at maximum.^[27]

Trials

The ATAGS has undergone several trials since 2016.

• On 14 July 2016, DRDO conducted the proof firing of armament for the 155/52 calibre advanced towed artillery gun system. The test was successful. The prototypes P1 and P2 of KSSL and TASL was tested in Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore. The two prototypes were followed by P3 and P4 after clearance.^[28][29][30]
• On 14 December 2016, a fully integrated, 155-millimeter artillery gun fired its first rounds of live ammunition at the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) in Balasore, Odisha.^[31]
• From 24 August to 7 September 2017, ATAGS underwent summer/desert trials in Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR).^[32] During the trials, it broke the then world record for 155 mm/52 calibre gun by firing the round to a distance of 47.2 kilometres. It again registered a maximum distance of 48.074 kilometres with high explosive–base bleed (HE–BB) ammunition, surpassing the maximum ranges fired by any artillery gun system in this category.^[5][4]
• In March 2018, ATAGS successfully completed winter trials in Sikkim at an altitude of 11,000 feet (3,400 m) and a temperature of −20°C. The mobility of the gun was favourable at the high altitudes. The manufacturing of first lot of 40 guns was to start soon.^[32] At heights of more than 13,000 feet (4,000 m), ATAGS participated in extended firing exercises with only the backup battery.^[33]
• The gun underwent user trials in September 2020 in Pokhran and suffered a major setback with a barrel burst injuring four personnel. Investigations are on to ascertain and solve the problem^[34][35] During the 2020 trial, the KSSL variant ATAGS fired 130+ rounds successfully and TASL-variant ATAGS fired 99 rounds successfully. It was during the firing of the 100th round (5th round of burst firing) of the TASL gun in which the accident occured.^[36] In November 2020, after an investigation the gun was cleared for further trials.^[30]
• In February 2021, ATAGS successfully completed another rounds of winter trials at high altitude conditions in Sikkim.^[37][38]
• The ATAGS successfully completed a week-long validation trials from 26 April to 2 May 2022 in Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR), paving way for induction into Army.^[37][39][40]
• During mid-2024, Armenia conducted several successful tests of the 6 units of ATAGS that have been delivered at various locations.^[41]

Service history

Armenian Ground Forces ordered 6 ATAGS from Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL) by August 2023. The guns were manufactured in KSSL's facility in Pune.^[42] They were delivered to Armenia by the end of 2023. As of October 2024, they intend to purchase additional 84 units after successful trials at different locations.^[41][43][44]

As of March 2023, the Indian Ministry of Defence received a proposal worth over $1 Billion from the Indian Army for the purchase of 307 ATAGS.^[45] As of September 2024, contract is to be signed by FY2025.^[46][47][48]

According to reports on 5 November 2024, the Indian Army plans to place an order for 307 units of ATAGS. The cost is expected to be around ₹7,000 crore (US$840 million). The order will be split at a ratio of 60:40 ratio. Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL) has emerged to be the lowest bidder followed by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL). However, TASL needs to meet the price bid of KSSL to get 40% order share.^[33]

ATAGS MGS

ATAGS Mounted Gun System (MGS)
Type	Truck-mounted self-propelled howitzer
Place of origin	India
Service history
Used by	Indian Army (planned)
Production history
Designer	Armament Research and Development Establishment Bharat Earth Movers Limited Bharat Forge
Manufacturer	Kalyani Strategic Systems Bharat Earth Movers Limited
Produced	2022
No. built	1 prototype
Specifications
Mass	30 tonnes (30 long tons; 33 short tons)
Caliber	155 mm/52 calibre
Elevation	0°/+72°
Rate of fire	Burst: 3+ rounds in 30 sec Intense: 12 rounds in 3 min Sustained: 42 rounds in 60 min
Effective firing range	45 km
Maximum firing range	High Explosive Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB BT) – 35 km, High Explosive Extended Range Full Bore Base Bleed (ERFB BB) – 45 km Ramjet Propelled Shell – 78 km (under development)[6]
References	[49][50]

It is a truck-mounted self propelled artillery variant with ATAGS mounted on an 8×8 High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). The overall gun weighs 30 tonnes.^[51] The first and only prototype was revealed in DefExpo 2022.^[49][50]

The official technical features of the gun includes^[49][50]

• Has an all-up weight of 30 tonnes.
• Has a maximum range of 35 to 45 km depending on the ammunition.
• Features an elevation range of 0° to +72°.
• Each unit of MGS can carry 24 rounds of ammunition along with enough Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS).
• The system can be transitioned from drive mode to fire mode in 80 seconds and fire mode to drive mode in 85 seconds.
• It can operate in the temperature range of −4°C to +45°C.
• It has a chamber volume of 25 litres which can be later upgraded in need.
• Features an all-electric drive and also includes a manual override system.
• Includes auto gun alignment and positioning system, fire-control system (FCS), and ammunition handling system.

The MGS system has undergone mobility and performance trials along with standalone firing trials of the armoured cabin.^[50]

Users

ATAGS operators as of 2023

Current users

•  Armenia
  •  Armenian Ground Forces – 6 ordered and delivered in 2023. Another 84 units planned (deal worth US$155 million).^[41][43][44]

Potential users

•  India
  •  Indian Army – 307 planned.^[33]
•  Philippines
  •  Philippine Army – Offered by India.^[52]

See also

• List of equipment of the Indian Army
• Other towed artillery systems in use in different armies:
  • M777 howitzer – British/American 155 mm towed artillery
  • Haubits FH77 – Swedish 155 mm towed howitzer
  • FH70 – British/German/Italian 155 mm towed howitzer
  • 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B – Soviet towed artillery
  • Soltam M-71 – Israeli 155 mm towed howitzer
  • KH179 – South Korean 155 mm towed howitzer
  • SLWH Pegasus – Singaporean 155 mm towed howitzer
  • AH4 howitzer – Chinese 155 mm towed artillery
  • Panter howitzer – Turkish howitzer

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