Defence News
ATAGS: Indigenous artillery gun set for Limited Series Production (LSP)
According to Dr S Christopher, Chief of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharama cleared the Limited Series Production (LSP) of 40 ATAGS (Advanced towed artillery gun system ) for the Indian Army after developmental trial firings at Pokhran range saw huge success .
Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), being jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Kalyani Group, Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division set a new world record when it hit targets at a distance of 48 km, surpassing the maximum ranges of other artillery gun system in its category.
155mm, 52 calibres towed artillery gun was developed in the fast-tracked program to meet Army’s artillery modernisation programme for the first time with Private defence companies.
After recently concluded Summer trials, DRDO has decided to procure additional prototypes to fast track winter trials which will be followed up by User trials in mid of 2018 to complete trials as per schedule.
ATAGS is likely to enter Limited Series Production by end of 2019 and both Kalyani Group and Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division are keen on ramping up the production rate once Army clear major orders for the artillery gun.
Indian Army which has a requirement for more than 2000 guns will divide orders between both companies as per their production capacity and Kalyani Group already has conveyed to Indian Army and Government of India that it can deliver nearly 300 + guns in a year once it receives a Bulk order from Indian Army.
