A Deal For ATAGS Is The Kickstart Indian Army's Stalled Artillery Modernisation Programme Desperately Needs

For years, India’s artillery modernisation programme has been a textbook example of how to delay progress despite having the right resources in place.

The much-talked-about Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) seemed like the silver bullet to end the country’s artillery woes, but in reality, it became emblematic of a much larger issue — an artillery jinx that simply refuses to lift.

It all started in 1986 when the Indian Army inducted the 155mm x 39 calibre Bofors FH-77B howitzers. Fast forward to 2017, and the ATAGS, hailed as an indigenous replacement for the aging artillery guns, made its grand debut at the Republic Day Parade, rolling down the Rajpath and filling the air with promises of a modernised, firepower-enhanced Indian Army. But alas, despite the fanfare, the ATAGS hasn't found its way into the Indian Army’s artillery regiments.

The delay in the induction of the ATAGS isn’t just a matter of misplaced priorities — it's a scandalous tale of bureaucratic lethargy, missed opportunities, and outdated thinking that has left the Indian Army’s artillery regiments with a severe shortfall of modern equipment.

In 1999, the Indian Army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP) was conceived, with the ambitious goal of acquiring 2,800 155mm artillery guns by 2027.

Yet, as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report pointed out, the programme has been crawling along at a pace that could make a snail look like a sprinter.

As of now, only eight per cent of the total 2,800 guns have been acquired, and only 17 percent of the proposed guns have been delivered under the six proposals for the acquisition of new artillery systems. Yes, you read that correctly — a mere 17 per cent of the promised artillery pieces have been handed over to the Army.

The situation is not exactly one of quiet progress.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been ready for years, having developed the ATAGS to replace outdated guns, but the production factories were left idle. After multiple rounds of testing, trials, and even exports of the ATAGS to Armenia, the artillery guns continued to languish on the sidelines due to a lack of orders.

As late as March 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) gave a half-hearted nod to procure 307 ATAGS guns. Meanwhile, various proposals, including ones for self-propelled artillery, have been dropped without a suitable replacement.

However, it seems that there might finally be some light at the end of this long tunnel of delays. Bharat Forge, one of the partners in the development of the ATAGS, has announced that it is in the final stages of contract negotiations with the MoD.

The deal, Bharat Forge has said, could be finalised before the end of the 2024-25 financial year, giving fresh hope to the artillery modernisation programme.

Bharat Forge had emerged as the lowest bidder for the Rs 7,000 crore contract, with the deal likely to be split between them and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in a 60:40 ratio, as both companies were development partners for the ATAGS project.

The capabilities of the ATAGS are impressive — it boasts a range of 35 km with its Extended Range Sub-Bore Boat Tail (ERFB BT) ammunition and up to 45 km with its ERFB Base Bleed (BB) rounds.

In fact, in the 2017 trials, the ATAGS achieved a record-breaking range of 47 km.

It has also withstood the endless trials of the Indian Army. The ATAGS has proven its worth in firing exercises across diverse terrains — from the deserts of Rajasthan, on the border with Pakistan, to the cold heights of Sikkim, along the frontier with China.

The weapon’s ability to deliver intense rates of fire is another standout feature: it can launch 10 high-explosive shells in just 2.5 minutes and 5 rounds in 60 seconds as a burst. All of this makes it an incredibly lethal system that could give India a serious edge over its adversaries.

However, none of this matters if the procurement process continues to be stuck in the quagmire of inefficiency and endless delays.

The ATAGS could be the key to modernising the Indian Army’s artillery capabilities and finally fulfilling the promise of the FARP. But that is, of course, assuming the MoD doesn’t let it slip away into bureaucratic limbo once again.

While the CAG report may have embarrassed the MoD and the Indian Army, it has also highlighted the immense urgency of moving forward with this modernisation programme. As it stands, the country’s artillery regiments are still waiting for the full complement of new guns, leaving them dangerously under-equipped in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.

The reality is that the ATAGS could represent more than just a technical upgrade — it could be a turning point for the entire artillery acquisition programme. 

There can't be a clearer sign of progress for India’s "Make in India" defense initiative than an indigenous system, developed through collaboration between state-owned and private sectors, making its way into the armed forces to fulfil a critical shortfall.

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