India seals historic $805m deal for homegrown howitzers
India has signed the largest defense contract in its history, ordering over 300 ATAGS howitzers for its army. These howitzers, featuring a NATO-standard 155 mm caliber, will enable India to phase out outdated Soviet-era artillery systems acquired from their long-time Russian ally.
The agreement involves over 300 locally-produced ATAGS howitzers. According to the Indian Ministry of Defense, the contract with two domestic companies for the supply of 307 ATAGS artillery systems and 327 6x6 drive tractors amounts to approximately $805 million.
Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited will supply the howitzers in a 60/40 ratio. Bharat Forge will deliver 184 howitzers for $483 million, while Tata Advanced Systems will provide the remaining 123 units.
This contract is crucial for India's defense industry as it will modernize around ten artillery regiments by replacing outdated artillery systems of smaller caliber. These include the old Soviet 130 mm M-46 guns, which are still in service.
The Indian path
Indians sought a locally-produced artillery system based on the prospective NATO 155 mm caliber. India opted for a towed howitzer with independent mobility, as seen in the FH-70, for instance.
The ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) howitzers were developed by India's Defense Research and Development Organization in 2019, in collaboration with Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited. It is claimed that over 65 percent of the components are sourced domestically, including crucial elements such as the barrel, breech, and muzzle brakes.
Mobile towed howitzer with long range
The ATAGS howitzers are 20-ton designs, based on a four-wheeled carriage equipped with a small internal combustion engine that drives hydraulics, allowing movement at speeds of up to 7 mph if necessary. This feature facilitates relocation compared to traditional artillery systems.
The 155 mm gun, with a length of 52 calibers, enables firing at a range of up to 28 miles with shells featuring base bleed, or even 37 miles with rocket-boosted shells. Additionally, each new ATAGS system is equipped with communication and data transmission systems for interaction with battalion staff.
