The Indian Army is undergoing modernization to strengthen its firepower. To achieve this, the government has approved the purchase of 307 ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System), which are indigenous and have the longest range in the world.

On March 19, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a ₹7,000 crore deal for these howitzer guns. These guns will be made in India, boosting the country’s defense sector. The deal is expected to be signed next week.

Who Developed ATAGS?

The ATAGS guns were designed and developed by DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization). Two private companies, Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems, will manufacture them.

• Bharat Forge will produce 60% of the guns.
• Tata Advanced Systems will manufacture 40% of the guns.

This move supports India’s goal of promoting private companies in the defense sector.

Why Is ATAGS Special?

ATAGS is the most powerful long-range artillery gun in the world.

• It can hit targets up to 48 km away.
• It can fire 3 shells in 15 seconds.
• It can fire 15 shells in 3 minutes and 60 shells in 60 minutes.
• It is weather-resistant and can be used in all terrains, including deserts and mountains.

The development of ATAGS began in 2013, and after extensive testing, it is now being added to the Indian Army.

India’s Defense Strategy After the Russia-Ukraine War

The Russia-Ukraine war showed the importance of long-range weapons. As a result, India is focusing on modernizing its artillery with howitzers, missiles, and rocket systems.

• February 2024: The Defense Ministry signed a ₹10,147 crore deal for the Pinaka Multi-Launch Rocket System.
• December 2023: India signed a ₹7,629 crore deal with L&T and South Korea’s Hanwha Defense to buy 100 K-9 Vajra-T tracked guns. The K-9 Vajra-T has a range of 28-38 km.

With these powerful weapons, India is significantly enhancing its defense capabilities. 🚀💪