Thu Mar 27 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## India Inks ₹6,900 Crore Deal for Indigenous Artillery Guns

**New Delhi, March 27, 2025** – The Indian Ministry of Defence has finalized a ₹6,900 crore contract with Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the procurement of 307 advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS). This significant investment marks a major step in the modernization of the Indian Army’s artillery capabilities.

The contract, split 60:40 between Bharat Forge and TASL, involves the supply of 155mm/52 calibre ATAGS, designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These advanced guns will replace older, smaller-calibre artillery, significantly enhancing the Army’s firepower.

The procurement is touted as a significant boost for India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem. Over 65% of the ATAGS components are sourced domestically, drastically reducing reliance on foreign imports. Key indigenous subsystems include the barrel, muzzle brake, and firing mechanisms. The project is also expected to generate approximately 20 lakh man-days of employment and open new avenues for defence exports.

This contract brings the total value of capital procurement contracts secured by the Ministry of Defence in the current financial year (2024-25) to ₹1.40 lakh crore. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The Project Director of ATAGS at ARDE, Pune, was also felicitated for his crucial role in the project’s success. The Army’s modernization drive aims to transition all artillery guns to the 155mm calibre.

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