Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System

The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) project was started in 2013 by DRDO to replace older guns in service in the Indian Army with a modern 155mm artillery gun.^[10] 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.^[11]

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).^[12] It was part of the Development cum Production Partner programme (DCPP) of DRDO.^[13]

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.^{[14][15][16][17]}

It was first publicly showcased at 68th Republic Day parade on 26 January 2017.^[18] 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.^[19] ATAGS is being fast-tracked by Indian Army for induction as of 27 September 2022.^[20]

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 deployability, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system, automatic command and control system with night capability in direct-fire mode.^[15] 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.^[21][22]

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.^[6]

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.^[23]

• DRDO conducted the proof firing of armament for the 155/52 calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System on 14 July 2016. The test was successful.^[24]
• Fully integrated, 155-millimeter artillery gun fired its first rounds of live ammunition at the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) in Balasore, Odisha on 14 December 2016.^[25]
• During trials in 2017, ATAGS 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]
• The gun successfully completed trials and the manufacturing of first lot of 40 guns is to start soon.^[26]
• The gun underwent user trials in September 2020 and suffered a major setback with a barrel burst injuring four personnel. Investigations are on to ascertain and solve the problem^[27][28][29] and in November 2020, after an investigation the gun was cleared for further trials
• In June 2021, ATAGS successfully completed trials at 15,000 feet (4,600 m) altitude.
• On 2 May 2022, the ATAGS successfully completed all field trials, paving way for induction into Army.

• Towed variant:
  • ATAGS – Towed by a High Mobility Vehicle (HMV)^[30][31]
• Self-propelled/MGS^[31]:
  • It equips ATAGS on an eight-wheeled HMV developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).^[32][33]

ATAGS operators as of 2023

 Armenia

• Armenian Ground Forces – 84 systems reportedly ordered, six delivered.^[34][35]

 India

• Indian Army – The Indian Ministry of Defence has received a proposal worth over $1 Billion from the Indian Army for the purchase of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS).^[36] The ATAGS are planned to be deployed at the borders with China and Pakistan.^[37]

 Philippines

• Philippine Army – Offered by India.^[38]

• 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