India Achieves Major Breakthrough in Artillery Gun Systems

India's fully domestically produced integrated gun system is being seen as a major shot in the arm for Indian artillery, which has not had any modernization since Bofors gun was acquired in 1987.

India's state run Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted the test firing of the armament system for the 155mmx52 caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) — the country's first fully domestically designed and developed gun system. This ATAGS, also known as ‘Dhanush', is fully equipped with an automatic command and control system with night firing capability in direct fire mode. It has a firing range of 40 kilometers. The first fully integrated gun system will be ready for user trials by early 2017. 

An official release by India's Ministry of Defense says, "The Armament system of ATAGS mainly comprises a barrel, breech mechanism, muzzle brake and recoil mechanism to fire 155 mm caliber ammunition held by Indian Army with a longer range, accuracy and precision and provides greater fire power."

Former Director of Centre for Land Warfare Studies, Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal, says, "Dhanush is an excellent achievement for the artillery, which has not had any modernization since Bofors gun were acquired in 1987. It is also an excellent achievement for indigenous defense production for India. The gun will be used in planes, and after all technical parameters are met, the army will induct this weapon in the regiment of artillery."

Last month, India's Defense Ministry approved the bulk production of 18 Dhanush artillery guns. In the same meeting, the ministry also approved also approved procurement of 145 M-777 under government to government deal from the US.

Brigadier Kanwal says, "The rate of production of 155mmx52 caliber guns in India is likely to be quite slow. Actions need to be taken to speed up the rate of production so that regiments can be equipped with the gun as quickly as possible."