Rs 6,900 crore artillery upgrade: Defence ministry inks contracts for weapons systems, vehicles

New Delhi: The defence ministry on Wednesday inked Rs 6,900 crore contracts with the Bharat Forge Ltd and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd for the procurement of advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) and high mobility gun towing vehicles, giving a boost to the Indian Army’s firepower.

As part of the Indian Army’s plan to modernise its artillery, the deal will lead to procurement of over 300 such guns for the force. The guns have a range of 48 km.

The 155 mm/52 calibre ATAGS will replace the vintage and smaller calibre guns and would enhance the artillery capabilities of the Indian Army, the defence ministry said.

The procurement marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of the Artillery Regiments, enhancing operational readiness, it said.

ATAGS, renowned for its exceptional lethality, will play a crucial role in bolstering the Army's firepower by enabling precise and long-range strikes, the ministry added.

This is also possibly for the first time two big private companies will join hands to produce a weapon for the forces.

With the ATAGS deal inked, total contracts worth Rs 1.40 lakh crore have been signed by the ministry for capital procurement till date in the current financial year, according to an official statement.