India’s Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) is a towed 155mm/52 calibre howitzer developed for the Indian Army by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Tata Advanced Systems limited (TASL) and Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL). Bharat Forge and TASL are the manufacturing partners for the ATAGS project.

The gun is towed by Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6 truck and can change over from towing mode to firing mode within two minutes. Effective firing of the ATAGS is 48 kms. A ramjet propellant under development would increase the range to 76 kms. The rate of fire is: Burst – 5 rounds in 60 seconds; Intense – 10 rounds in 2 minutes and 30 seconds; Sustained – 60 rounds in 60 minutes. With a towing vehicle, ATAGS can move with a speed of 80 km/h and in self-propelled mode at 12 km/h with 95 kW APU.

Subsequently, a Mounted Gun System (MGS) of the ATAGS has been developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems in conjunction with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). It is a truck-mounted self propelled artillery variant with the ATAGS, mounted on an 8×8 High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) developed by BEML. The overall gun weighs 30 tonnes. The first prototype was showcased in DefExpo 2022.

Technical features of the gun include the following: all-up weight (AUW) of 30 tonnes; maximum range of 35 to 45 km depending on the ammunition; elevation range of 0° to +72°; each unit of MGS can carry 24 rounds of ammunition along with enough Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS); the system can be transitioned from drive mode to fire mode in 80 seconds and fire mode to drive mode in 85 seconds; it can operate in the temperature range of -4°C to +45°C; chamber volume of 25 litres which can be later upgraded if needed; allelectric drive and also includes a manual override system; auto gun alignment and positioning system, fire-control system (FCS) and ammunition handling system. The MGS system has undergone mobility and performance trials along with standalone firing trials of the armoured cabin.

A recent development is the development of a new Truck-Mounted Howitzer (TMH) by the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), building upon the experience TASL gained from the ATAGS project. The uniqueness of the Tata TMH is that it utilizes the Tata LPTA 3945/3138 8x8 Truck platform, ensuring remarkable mobility and adaptability; TASL, therefore presents a complete package (ATAG and the truck platform) from its own sources.

The TASL’s TMH, with its inherent indirect fire flexibility, allows it to fulfill both traditional and howitzer roles. The TMH has an impressive 600 km range with a speed of 85 km/h, which gives it tactical-cum-strategic mobility and efficacy across diverse operational requirements. The ammunition for the TMH, compatible with the NATO and other types of ammunition, is optimised for the 52 calibre 155mm ballistic system; it employs extended range projectiles, guaranteeing superior range and effectiveness compared to other existing systems. With its unique blend of power, precision and mobility, the TASL TMH does pose a challenge to the Kalyani Group’s MGS.

As mentioned above, both the Kalyani Group and the TASL have leveraged their experience gained from the ATAGS project. The commercial competition between Kalyani and the TASL, therefore, would be only natural. Kalyani’s MGS system has already undergone mobility and performance trials, as also firing trials, whereas the TASL TMH is a new entrant. Trials of any gun system by the Indian Army takes an inordinately long time, which will reduce the chances of the TASL’s TMH.

In the above context, it must be acknowledged that the Indian Army can hardly afford to accept any gun system, or for that matter a weapon platform or battlefield system, without comprehensive trials, the duration of trials being dependent on multiple factors. The Army naturally would want to complete such trials at the earliest, considering the threats around India and the necessity of speedy modernisation.

The TMH of the TASL offers an advantage, in that, the TSH offers a complete system and the Kalyani MGS may even go for a cheaper vehicle if there is a price competition. However, it is good that more private companies are developing and producing indigenous gun systems, which will increase the competition and in turn reduce the costs. Both the MGS and TMH anyway provide a distinct advantage compared to a towed gun system by way of mobility, faster deployment and quick redeployment after firing, where required.

Currently, the majority of the Indian Army’s artillery consists of 130mm field guns, which are gradually being upgraded to 155mm under the ‘Sharang’ project. Although the Army’s tender specifies a requirement of 400 guns, it has a total need for over 1,200 artillery guns of the same type. The need, therefore, is early trials of the TASL’s TMH, cutting down the red tape. This would have already been taken into account by the Indian Army.