NEW DELHI: The defence ministry on Wednesday inked the around Rs 6,900 crore contract for production of 307 advanced towed artillery gun systems ( ATAGS ) and 327 high mobility 6x6 gun-towing vehicles with private sector companies Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems , in the first-ever deal for such indigenous heavy-duty howitzers. With the signing of the deal for the 155mm/52-calibre ATAGS designed and developed by DRDO, the total value of capital procurement contracts inked by MoD in the ongoing fiscal stands at Rs 1.4 lakh crore.
The PM-led cabinet committee on security had cleared the ATAGS deal on March 19, as was first reported by TOI. Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh felicitated the project director of ATAGS -- which has a strike range of up to 45-km depending on the ammunition -- from DRDO’s Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment during the ceremony on Wednesday. “The procurement of this gun system marks a significant milestone in the modernization of the Army’s artillery regiments, enhancing their operational readiness along the borders with China and Pakistan.
Renowned for its exceptional lethality, the ATAGS will play a crucial role in bolstering the Army's firepower by enabling precise and long-range strikes,” an official said. Bharat Forge will manufacture 60% of the guns because it had emerged as the L-1 (lowest bidder), while Tata will produce the remaining 40%. “ATAGS will replace outdated 105mm and 130mm guns.
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