From Slingers, catapults, to cannons! The role of field artillery is to provide support to all other arms in combat. By attacking in-depth targets, artillery gun plays a major role in today’s warfare. Indian Army which faces the danger of two-front wars with two nuclear powers knows this very well.

The Indian Army’s artillery modernization plans were drafted two decades ago. India’s artillery modernization plans were stuck in limbo thanks to the Congress for alleged corruption scandals and scams with bigots and what not since 1980.

The plan was to have 1,580 towed gun systems, 814 mounted gun systems, 100 self-propelled Howitzers, and 145 M777 155mm/39 caliber lightweight Howitzers for the mountains. But today things are changing for good. India has produced its artillery guns with advanced features second to none. While there are many varieties of distilleries available, the spotlight is the shine of one such Indian advancement.

The ATAGS :

The ATAGS an indigenous howitzer program that commenced eight years ago is indisputably onecaliberia’s biggest success stories. The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) is a towed 155 mm/52 caliber howitzer that is being developed for the Indian Army by the Defence Research and old Development Organisation and manufactured by Bharat Forge and Tata Power SED. ATAGS has greater than 95% of indigenous content.

Today we will list the ‘Top 10 reasons why ATAGS are the real game-changer for Indian Army

1) The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) project is truly Indian and made in India. With 95 percent indigenous content, the weapon platform gives India the ability to fine-tune for its own needs. Modernization of the platform will take place to enhance the capabilities of the howitzer as per Indian needs. The gun system includes 7,463 components of which 4,877 are manufactured parts requiring roughly 30,000 manufacturing processes and over 2,00,000 inspection parameters.

2) Utilizing a dual power system that integrates hydraulics for improved mobility and in/out the action, the gun is effective in a whole range of terrains from roads, to cross country, to deserts and high altitude areas. Suitable to India’s diverse conditions and geographical terrains.

3) The ATAGS can fire three rounds in just 15 seconds under burst mode. Not just that, the Howitzers can pump 60 rounds in just 60 minutes to suppress in-depth enemy defenses and formation. This sustained mode help with India’s cold start doctrine.

4) India’s ATAGS are the most advanced guns in the world. The only one is capable of firing Bi-Modular Charge System Zone 7 propellant. The modular charge consists of a combustible case (CC ) filled with cooler propellant to achieve improved barrel life and eliminates the wastage of propellant.

5) The howitzer is also integrated with advanced features like an auxiliary power mode. Auxiliary power is electric power that is provided by an alternate source and that serves as a backup for the primary power source. Means More reliable on the battlefield.

6) The ATAGS includes an automatic command and control system. Fire Control Systems provide full spectrum autonomous artillery systems or indirect fire support. Systems meet all requirements of modern artillery systems which improve the battlefield effectiveness of the artillery weapons.

7) All the ATAGS guns come with a state-of-the-art communication system.

8) ATAGS is also unique since it has turned out to be a great example of a successful public-private partnership. India has faced setbacks with the sluggish work ethics of the government-run ordinance factories and other PSU. Which had unfair domination over the countries weapons system production. Which has left, India to be the world’s largest importer of arms for decades. ATAGS acts as a fitting example and future road map for India to make use of its well established Private sectors.

9) ATAGS has a massive firing range. The maximum firing range of the howitzer 48.074 km (Using HE-BB or High Explosive Base Bleed ammunitions). While the effective firing range stands at 40 km. During trials in 2017, ATAGS broke the world record for 155 mm gun by firing the round to a distance of 47.2 kilometers. It again registered a maximum distance of 48.074 kilometers with high explosive–base bleed (HE–BB) ammunition, surpassing the maximum ranges fired by any artillery gun system in this category.

10) Most of all the Gun with such an impressive specification and advanced features comes at less mass. Mass of each ATAGS 18 tonnes (18 long tons; 20 short tons). And can be operated with just 6 crew members. Providing an additional advantage to be deployed at mountain peaks and valleys.

These are just a few and rare advantages of ATAGS. Fully integrated, 155-millimeter ATAGS artillery gun provides major advantages to the Indian Armed Forces.

Source: DRDO, Wikipedia, Times Now.