Strategic Move: Government Contemplates Procuring 307 ATAGS Howitzers for Army by March 31

India is poised to enhance its defense capabilities with a potential order of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) before March 31. The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is leading this initiative, collaborating with private partners Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Bharat Forge Ltd.

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In a significant development for India's defense apparatus, the government is on the verge of placing an order for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) before the conclusion of the current financial year on March 31. This move is attributed to the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), whose chairman, Dr. Samir V Kamat, conveyed this information to ANI.

Highlighting the strategic significance, Dr. Kamat emphasized the deployment of these formidable weapons along the India-China and India-Pakistan borders. Having completed all trials, the ATAGS is now poised for a substantial procurement order. The DRDO collaborated with private partners Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Bharat Forge Ltd in developing this 155 mm x 52 mm caliber howitzer gun.

Dr. Kamat shed light on DRDO's inclusive approach, stating, "DRDO has always been supporting industry." He emphasized their collaboration with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and smaller industries during the development phase. In the last seven to eight years, the DRDO adopted the DcPP (Development-cum-Production Partner) concept, fostering collaboration with private and public sectors as system integrators.

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The backdrop to this development includes the 2023 deployment of M-777 ultra-light howitzers by the Army in mountainous regions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. This reinforcement of firepower is a strategic response to the lingering border standoff with China, especially in sensitive areas of the Ladakh sector.

India's proactive military measures along the nearly 3,500-km-long LAC have been a response to the escalation in tensions since the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020. The collaborative efforts with private partners underscore India's commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.