Indian Army's Push For 'Make In India', Moves Proposal To MoD To Buy 400 Howitzers From Domestic Firms

In a bid to promote indigenously designed and developed weapon systems, the Indian Army has moved a proposal to the Defence Ministry to procure 400 howitzers from domestic firms.

The Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery has been planning to use the expertise of the Indian industry to produce a 155 mm/52 calibre Towed Gun System (TGS).

The TGS is expected to be lighter and versatile, capable of incorporating future technological advancements.

The proposal includes the purchase of towing vehicles along with the TGS under the Buy Indian-IDDM category.

“A proposal for buying 400 155mm 52 calibre towed gun systems (TGS) along with towing vehicles from Indian firms under the Buy Indian-IDDM category has been moved to the Defence Ministry," senior military officials were quoted by news agency ANI as saying.

"The government is expected to soon take a decision on the TGS at a high-level meeting,” the officials added.

The Indian Army has already issued a tender for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) and is in the process of finding a mounted gun system for use along the borders with China and Pakistan.

The procurement process is part of the Army’s plan for modernisation with indigenous guns and is expected to be completed by 2042.

The gun systems include Dhanush, Sharang, Ultra Light Howitzer (ULH), and K-9 Vajra Self Propelled Guns. Dhanush Guns are an electronic upgrade of Bofors Guns, while the Sharang Guns have been up-gunned from 130mm to 155mm calibre.

Seven Regiments have already been equipped with ULHs while five have been equipped with self-propelled guns.

According to reports, the Army is looking at the TGS as it is lighter and more agile than the ATAGS, with more automation.

The TGS is expected to be the mainstay gun of the artillery in the future.

The Army has issued a Request for Information to acquire a 155mm/52 calibre TGS, opening up the possibility for the induction of the Autonomous Towed Howitzer Ordnance System (ATHOS) built by Israeli firm Elbit.

The Army plans to acquire 400 TGS that can operate in various terrains — mountainous, plains, high altitude, desert, and semi-desert.

The Regiment of Artillery is preparing to face future challenges and is undergoing a transformation from manual to automatic, analog to digital, and conventional to smart to meet any challenge and contingency.

The induction of these systems will enable the delivery of decisive and destructive firepower, restoring the status of artillery as the ‘Arm of Decision’.