DRDO Declares Indian-Made Howitzer 'World's Best,' Aims to End Artillery Imports

A senior scientist from DRDO states, ATAGS is the best artillery gun in the world and capable of meeting the Indian Army's entire requirements.

BALASORE, INDIA — A senior scientist from India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has stated that the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), an indigenously developed howitzer, is the best artillery gun in the world and capable of meeting the Indian Army's entire requirement of 1,800 guns, potentially ending the need for foreign imports.

Shailendra V. Gade, ATAGS project director and a DRDO scientist, made the remarks during recent field trials in Balasore. He emphasized that the gun system is far superior to any other artillery gun globally, including the legendary Bofors used by the Indian Army and the Israeli ATHOS. 

Gade highlighted the ATAGS’s 48-kilometer firing range, which he says is the longest in the world for a towed howitzer. This extended range would allow Indian forces to strike targets while remaining safely out of the enemy's retaliatory range.

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"The enemy won't be able to counter you as they would not be able to reach you, but you can reach them at 48 kilometers," Gade said.

The ATAGS project, a collaboration between DRDO and private firms Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, has already undergone rigorous testing. The howitzer has fired over 2,000 rounds in varied and challenging terrains, including high-altitude areas in Sikkim near the China border and desert conditions in Pokharan, close to the Pakistan border.

Gade also underscored the ATAGS's superior rate of fire, stating that it can launch five rounds per minute, significantly faster than the Bofors and other guns that typically fire only three. The ATAGS is also designed to be highly reliable and maintenance-free.

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"I am sure that this entire requirement of 1,800 guns can be met by this gun only," Gade said, referring to the Indian Army's total projected need for artillery systems. The army was reportedly considering the acquisition of 400 Israeli ATHOS guns for quick induction, but Gade suggested that the ATAGS is the better, more contemporary option for India's long-term military needs.

Key Features of the ATAGS

• Extended Range: A firing range of 48 km, providing a tactical advantage.
• High Rate of Fire: Capable of firing five rounds per minute.
• Indigenous Development: A flagship "Make in India" defense project, developed by DRDO in partnership with Indian private companies.
• Superior Technology: Features an all-electric drive for enhanced reliability and is designed to meet future military requirements.
• Battlefield-Proven: Tested in diverse environments, including high-altitude and desert regions.
• Reduced Import Dependency: The gun's success could make India self-reliant in artillery guns.

BASED ON - ET TIMES NEWS REPORT.