India goes great guns to rejuvenate artillery
The MoD has approved the acquisition of 150 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) of 155mm L/52 calibre from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), valued at around $500 million.
The trials of prototypes from two private companies, Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division and the Kalyani Group, are complete, with the howitzers firing shells 47km at the Pokhran test range and in high altitudes.
Once 20 guns are received from the DRDO, then machining and finishing facilities have to be invested at the manufacturers’ own cost. Each gun costs around $3.3 million.
Though overweight at 16t, efforts
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
-
Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.
-
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)
A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.