Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)

Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)

What is the News?

The development of the indigenously designed heavy artillery gun, the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), has advanced to a stage where user assisted trials of the gun are likely to start by June and the Army has begun finalising the Preliminary Specifications Qualitative Requirements (PSQR), a defence official said.

The Army, which has been seeking to modernise its weaponry, recently inducted its first modern pieces of artillery in 30 years: the M777 Ultra­Light Howitzer from the U.S. and the K9 Vajra­Tself­propelled artillery gun from South Korea.

What is ATAGS?

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  Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System is a towed 155 mm/52 calibre howitzer that is being developed for the Indian Army by DRDO.

• This project was started in 2013 by DRDO.
• ATAGS was started to replace older guns in service in the Indian Army with a modern 155mm artillery gun.
• The ATAGS is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation on two parallel tracks:
  • One prototype is being built in partnership with Tata Power (Strategic Engineering Division).
  • The other is in collaboration with Bharat Forge.

Key features of ATAGS

• The armament system of ATAGS comprises of 52-calibre gun barrel with breech mechanism.
• Muzzle brake and Recoil system has been designed and developed to fire the 155mm calibre ammunitions held by Army with enhanced range, accuracy and precision.
• TheATAGS is configured with all electric drive technology for the first time in the world that will ensure maintenance free and reliable operation over a long period of time.
• It has advanced features like high mobility, quick deployability, advanced communication system, automatic command and control system with night capability in direct fire mode.
• The gun is two ton lighter than guns in the same category and is designed to provide better accuracy and range.
• It is capable of firing five successive rounds in short duration.
• It also sports a six round magazine instead of the standard three round magazine.