New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed contracts with Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited for the procurement of 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) and High Mobility Vehicle 6x6 Gun Towing Vehicles, respectively. The total value of the contracts stands at approximately Rs 6,900 crore.
The agreements were formalized in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block in New Delhi. With this signing, the MoD has reached a cumulative capital procurement contract value of Rs 1.40 lakh crore in the ongoing Financial Year 2024-25.
During the event, the Project Director of ATAGS from the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune, was honored by the Defence Secretary for his pivotal contribution to the realization of the project.
The procurement of the 155mm/52 Calibre ATAGS marks a significant advancement in modernizing the artillery capabilities of the Indian Army. The new system is set to replace older, lower-calibre guns, enhancing operational preparedness and combat effectiveness. Known for its superior lethality, ATAGS will provide precise and long-range strike capabilities, thereby strengthening the Army’s firepower.
This initiative represents the first major procurement of towed guns from the private sector by the Indian Army, underscoring a substantial boost to domestic defence manufacturing. The project aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and Make-in-India campaign, fostering employment generation and economic growth while reinforcing India’s self-reliance in defence production.
(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)