New Delhi, Nov 2026 : India’s indigenous defence manufacturing programme has reached an important milestone with bulk production clearance granted for the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). Serial production is expected to begin in the next financial year, paving the way for the system’s phased induction into the Indian Army from 2028.
Under the procurement agreement, Bharat Forge will manufacture 60 per cent of the 307 guns ordered by the Army, while TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will produce the remaining 40 per cent. Bharat Forge has emerged as the lowest bidder and will undertake the larger share of the manufacturing programme.
Production is expected to commence in the second half of the coming year, with formal deliveries scheduled to begin in the first quarter of financial year 2028. The delivery plan envisages a steady supply of 15 guns annually over a four-year period.
The initial order of 307 guns is considerably lower than the Indian Army’s overall requirement, estimated at more than 1,400 towed artillery systems. However, logistical limitations have influenced the scale of the first procurement.
The ATAGS weighs approximately 18 tonnes, largely due to its advanced electromechanical drives and automation features. The Army’s existing towing infrastructure is primarily designed to handle artillery systems weighing less than 15 tonnes. Deploying the heavier ATAGS will therefore require specialised gun-towing vehicles and additional logistical arrangements, increasing the infrastructure requirements for large-scale induction.
To address these constraints in future procurements, the Army is considering the acquisition of lighter artillery systems weighing below 15 tonnes. Discussions are also under way to explore the development of a lighter version of the ATAGS under the Buy Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (Buy Indian-IDDM) category.
Despite the weight-related challenges, the ATAGS is regarded as a significant addition to India's indigenous artillery capabilities. Its advanced automation, performance characteristics and low maintenance requirements are among the features highlighted in support of its induction.
The programme also represents a major manufacturing opportunity for Bharat Forge and TATA Advanced Systems, strengthening the role of domestic private-sector companies in India's defence production ecosystem.
The ATAGS has also attracted international attention, with Armenia among the countries associated with its operation and export. Its development and planned induction reflect India's broader effort to reduce dependence on imported military equipment and expand domestic defence manufacturing.
With bulk production clearance now in place, the focus will shift to establishing manufacturing capacity, meeting delivery schedules and ensuring that the Army has the specialised towing and support infrastructure required to operate the system.
The initial 307-gun order will mark the beginning of the ATAGS induction programme, while future decisions on lighter variants and additional artillery purchases are expected to shape the Army's longer-term modernisation plans.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
