India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired its indigenously designed 155 mm/52 calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) to a range of 40 km at its Proof & Experimental Establishment in Balasore (Odisha)on the country’s east coast.
The ATAGS project forms part of the Indian Army’s artillery modernisation programme.
- The ATAGS is being developed to supplement the indigenously designed and manufactured 155 millimeter/45 caliber artillery gun, Dhanush, an improved version of the FH-77B 155 mm/39 caliber towed howitzer manufactured by the Swedish defense contractor Bofors (now BAE Systems) and of which India acquired 414 between 1987 and 1991.
- The new gun will allegedly be capable of firing five rounds in short duration with a maximum range of 40 kilometers, depending on the ammunition type. The gun will be lighter than most other guns in the same category, which will assure “high mobility” and “quick deployability,” the press release states.
- All of the Indian Army’s 414 Dhanush guns will also undergo upgrades by 2017. The ATAGS is expected to be ready for user trials in early 2017, with serial production slated to commence in
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is an agency of the Republic of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India. It was formed in 1958.
- DRDO is working in various areas of military technology which include aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval systems, advanced computing, simulation and life sciences.
