In an enormous defence enhance, Modi Cupboard approves Rs 7,000 acquisition of India-made artillery weapons

India’s authorities has accredited a long-awaited deal price round Rs 7,000 crore ($840m) for the acquisition of indigenous superior towed artillery gun methods (ATAGS) for the military, marking a major step within the nation’s push to develop its personal defence manufacturing capabilities.

The contract, cleared by the Prime Minister-led Cupboard Committee on Safety (CCS) on Wednesday (March 19), will see the military purchase 307 howitzers with a strike vary of 45-48km, together with 327 gun-towing autos to equip 15 artillery regiments, The Instances of India reported citing high sources. The settlement is predicted to be finalised subsequent week.

Strengthening homegrown firepower

The 155mm/52-calibre ATAGS have been designed and developed by India’s Defence Analysis and Growth Organisation (DRDO) and can be produced by non-public defence companies Bharat Forge and Tata Superior Methods. Bharat Forge, which emerged because the lowest bidder, will manufacture 60 per cent of the weapons, whereas Tata will produce the remaining 40 per cent.

This order is predicted to be the primary of many, as the military plans to induct additional superior variations, with a complete requirement of 1,580 such weapons.

The ATAGS programme, which started in 2013, has undergone in depth testing, together with winter trials in high-altitude areas of Sikkim in 2021-22 and summer time firing assessments on the Pokhran vary in Rajasthan.

A troubled historical past of artillery procurement

India’s efforts to modernise its artillery have been repeatedly derailed by corruption scandals in previous international acquisitions.

The Swedish Bofors deal of the Eighties, the South African Denel controversy in 2005, and a 2009 case involving Singapore’s ST Kinetics have all left the nation cautious of counting on imports.

The push for indigenous manufacturing aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, which goals to scale back dependence on international defence suppliers and enhance home manufacturing.

An official conscious of the event advised Firstpost that the military is dedicated to supporting home defence companies in growing weaponry that meets its stringent operational necessities, which span numerous terrains and weather conditions.

“Whereas some Indian-made weapons have been exported, all producers should adjust to the military’s technical and efficiency requirements earlier than induction into energetic service,” they stated.