India has taken a big step in strengthening its defence forces by approving the purchase of 307 advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) for the Indian Army. This decision, made by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), is a major achievement for the country's goal of becoming self-reliant in defence manufacturing.

A powerful and modern artillery system

The ATAGS is India’s first artillery gun that is completely designed, developed, and made in the country. It has a 155 mm, 52-calibre long barrel, which lets it fire much farther — up to 40 km — making it stronger and more effective than older guns.

The gun can carry bigger explosives, hit targets with better accuracy, and is built to be easier for soldiers to use. It also has automated features, which means the crew doesn’t have to work as hard to operate it.

By approving this purchase, India is proving that it can make advanced military equipment on its own. It’s an important step toward upgrading the Indian Army and relying less on other countries for weapons.

Made in India, built for India

The ATAGS guns were created by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with private Indian companies. More than 65% of the gun’s parts are made in India. This includes important parts like the barrel (which fires the shells), the muzzle brake (which controls the gun’s recoil), the breech mechanism (which helps load the shells), and the system that handles the ammunition.

The guns also use Indian-made technology for things like navigation, sensors, and radar. This is important because it means India doesn’t have to rely on other countries for these parts. It also makes repairs and getting spare parts faster and easier since everything is made locally. This ensures the guns will stay in good working condition for a long time, making the Indian Army stronger and more self-reliant.

The new ATAGS guns will take the place of the older 105 mm and 130 mm guns that the Indian Army has been using for a long time. These advanced guns will be set up along India’s western and northern borders, helping the army defend the country more effectively. They can fire longer distances and with greater power, giving the army an advantage in tough situations.

This project will also create a lot of jobs — around 20 lakh man-days of work — in different industries, from manufacturing to technology. On top of that, India plans to sell these guns to other countries. This could help India become an important player in the global defence market, showing that it can make high-quality, advanced military equipment on its own.

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