MoD Signs ₹6,900 Crore Contract with Bharat Forge & TASL for 307 ATAGS.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed contracts with Bharat Forge Ltd and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for the procurement of 307 advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) of 155mm/52 calibre and 327 high-mobility 6x6 gun towing vehicles, at a total cost of ₹6,900 crore.

This agreement marks a key milestone in India's defence modernization efforts, bringing the total capital procurement contracts signed by MoD in FY 2024-25 to ₹1.40 lakh crore.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh felicitated the Project Director of ATAGS from DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune, for his pivotal role in the project’s development.

As per the contract, Bharat Forge will manufacture 184 ATAGS at its Jeguri facility near Pune, covering 60% of the order, while TASL will produce the remaining 123 guns. A similar manufacturing split applies to the gun towing vehicles. The Indian Army is set to receive these state-of-the-art artillery systems within five years, replacing its aging inventory and enhancing operational firepower.

The ATAGS system is known for its exceptional lethality and precision, significantly bolstering India’s artillery capabilities with long-range and high-accuracy strikes.

This marks the first major private-sector procurement of towed artillery guns by the Indian Army, giving a significant boost to India's indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem. The project is expected to drive employment generation, economic growth, and technological advancements, aligning with the Make-in-India initiative.

HBL