Bharat Forge signed the largest domestic contract with the Ministry of Defence for supplying 184 indigenously developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS). This order represents 60% of the Rs 6,900 crore procurement by the defence ministry.
The 155/52 mm calibre ATAGS was jointly developed with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge, expressed that this is a proud moment for the company, made possible with the support of the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army, DRDO, the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), and the team at Bharat Forge.
The company has established a large defence manufacturing facility in Jejuri, near Pune, dedicated to the assembly and integration of guns, vehicles, small and medium arms, and systems. This facility can manufacture one gun each day.
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These advanced artillery systems are set to replace older systems and are expected to be deployed along the borders with China and Pakistan. The 155/52 calibre ATAGS, developed in India, can fire projectiles up to 48 km. It operates on all-electric drives, making it maintenance-free in comparison to hydraulic drives. The ATAGS can move at a speed of 18 kmph, unlike towed guns, which typically move at 7 or 8 kmph. Additionally, the ATAGS has a firing rate of six shells, compared to three for towed guns. Existing ammunition can be successfully fired from the ATAGS without requiring special modifications.
Moreover, the company has already begun exporting these guns to friendly nations like Armenia. The defence orders will be executed by Bharat Forge’s 100% subsidiary, Kalyani Strategic Systems.
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