The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved a long-awaited deal to acquire 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) for the Indian Army. The contract, worth ₹7,000 crore, will soon be signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and leading Indian defense firms—Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
Division of the “307 ATAGS” Order
KSSL emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) in the competition. From the total order of 307 units, KSSL is expected to supply around 185 guns. The remaining will come from TASL, which secured the contract as the second-lowest bidder (L2). However, both the makers will be paid same price as quoted by KSSL.
Challenges Faced During Development
The road to ATAGS induction has not been smooth. In 2020, the gun faced a major setback when the barrel of one unit burst during testing in Rajasthan. At that time, the gun had almost completed its trials. The development team took the safer approach of halting tests and analyzing the cause before proceeding further. After analysing the cause and working on it, the gun was again taken up for the testing that it almost completed in 202 before the barrel burst. It was a frustrating moment for many, but for users, studying the impact of that change under various conditions was paramount.
Handling the Setback Professionally
DRDO, TASL, and KSSL acted responsibly by not blaming each other. Instead of questioning quality control, they focused on identifying and fixing the issue. The Indian Army also played a mature role by not allowing unnecessary criticism of the system. However, media reports speculated that the ATAGS project was back to the drawing board and suggested alternatives like the ATHOS 2052. But the Army paid no heed to media speculation, and neither of the makers reacted impulsively to the media bait. The criticism was momentary and was let go, as the ultimate goal was the glory at the end of the tunnel.
Successful Modifications and Trials
After thorough analysis, engineers made slight modifications and resumed testing. The gun successfully passed trials, proving its reliability. In India, failed tests often mark the end of a defense project. However, the decision-makers, designers, and industry partners persevered. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, ATAGS overcame the challenge, leading to the approval of 307 units for procurement.
Future Variants in Development
This is just the beginning. The Indian Army plans to procure other variants of ATAGS under the broader Towed Gun System (TGS) program. A lighter version is being developed, and limited-series units for testing are already in production. Additionally, a mounted variant on a BEML 8×8 high-mobility vehicle is undergoing trials. A much larger number of mounted guns will be procured in the future along with 400 TGS guns for which lighter variant of ATAGS and Dhanush 52 will lock horns.
Army’s commitment to Indigenous Systems
The Indian Army has demonstrated its commitment to indigenous systems. When they back a weapon, they refine, support, and induct it. The ATAGS not only provides a tailor-made solution for the Army but also sets a world record with its 48 km range. This range surpasses anything the enemy possesses, giving India a crucial battlefield advantage.
Overall, The approval of 307 ATAGS marks a significant milestone in India’s artillery modernization. Despite challenges, the project has triumphed, showcasing India’s capability to develop world-class defense systems. The future of indigenous artillery looks promising, reinforcing India’s position as a global defense manufacturing hub.