The Indian Army has issued a tender for the procurement of next-generation artillery guns, which will be produced locally. While the army currently needs 400 of these advanced gun systems, it is anticipated that the demand will rise considerably in the future due to the gradual phasing out of outdated equipment.
Private defence manufacturers, who have heavily invested in the development of artillery systems in recent times, are displaying keen interest in the estimated purchase of new Towed Gun Systems worth Rs 7,000 crore.
According to the stipulated procurement route, the guns must be designed in India and contain over 50% indigenous content in accordance with the contract value.
Presently, India’s artillery primarily consists of 130 mm field guns, which are in the process of being upgraded to 155mm through the Sharang project. While the army’s tender calls for 400 guns, it actually requires more than 1,200 of these particular artillery pieces.
According to sources, the army is gradually acquiring the 155mm/52 Caliber ATAGS due to budget restrictions. This is in line with their current efforts to bolster their artillery strength through various acquisitions, as seen in the ongoing upgrades and upcoming contracts.
The upcoming 155mm/52 caliber guns are set to surpass the current artillery models, including the ATAGS, in terms of weight and versatility. The army is prioritizing advanced automation and superior accuracy beyond existing systems, along with the capability to use a broader assortment of specialized ammunition for future considerations.
As per an internal report, Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge, and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd are among the leading candidates for the contract. Larsen & Toubro has previously provided K9 Vajra Self Propelled artillery guns to the army, while Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd have jointly developed the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, making them strong contenders for an upcoming army order.
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