On the occasion of the 197th Gunners’ Day, we delve into the evolving landscape of the Indian Army’s artillery regiment. While the nation has witnessed the development of indigenous artillery systems like Dhanush and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), it’s the 155mm/52 Calibre Towed Gun Systems (TGS) that emerges as the prospective mainstay for the artillery in the future.
Sources within the defense and security establishment have disclosed that although a Request for Proposal (RFP) for ATAGS was issued to Indian firms, Kalyani Group and TATA, both credited with its development, the Indian Army has set its sights on the TGS. The TGS offers greater agility and automation compared to ATAGS.
Discussing the modernization drive in the Artillery Regiment, a source emphasized, “In the future, we are also looking at 155mm/52 Calibre Towed Gun Systems (TGS), which will become the mainstay gun of Artillery.”
Last December, It was reported that the Indian Army had released a fresh Request for Information (RFI) for the acquisition of a 155mm/52 calibre TGS. This move opened the door for the potential inclusion of the Israeli Autonomous Towed Howitzer Ordnance System (ATHOS), developed by Elbit.
One key aspect of the RFI was a weight requirement, stating that the gun system should ideally weigh less than 15 tons. This stipulation has brought the ATHOS, which meets this criterion, back into contention, while the heavier ATAGS weighs over 18 tons. Industry experts view this development as an opportunity for the Israeli weapon system.
Celebrated on 28th September, Gunners’ Day marks the inception of the first Indian Artillery unit, the Royal Indian Artillery, in 1827.
Sources have revealed that the Indian Army plans to procure 400 TGS units capable of operating in diverse terrains, including mountains, plains, high altitudes, deserts, and semi-deserts. The Regiment of Artillery is undergoing a significant transformation, transitioning from manual to automatic, analog to digital, and conventional to smart, to meet future challenges effectively.
Recent global conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, have underscored the evolving nature of warfare, emphasizing the need for a well-rounded approach beyond firepower. The Regiment of Artillery is drawing vital lessons from such conflicts, which are informing its capability development plans and artillery doctrines.
The source elaborated, “The capability development arena, which is based on the principle of ‘Modernisation through Indigenisation,’ is progressing well according to timelines. 155mm will be the standard calibre of all artillery guns.”
Notably, the Indian Army has successfully inducted various artillery systems like Ultra Light Howitzers, K9 Vajra Gun Systems, Dhanush Gun Systems, Sharang Gun Systems, Pinaka Rockets, and Swathi Weapon Locating Radar. Furthermore, Requests for Proposals (RFPs) have been issued for two additional gun systems, the 155 mm/52 Calibre Mounted Gun System and 155 mm/52 Calibre ATAGS.
To enhance battlefield transparency, the Regiment of Artillery is actively procuring niche technologies, including loitering munitions, swarm drones, and tactical remotely piloted aerial systems. These advanced systems promise decisive and destructive firepower, reinforcing artillery’s role as the ‘Arm of Decision.’ Emphasis is also placed on networked and automated systems, with major upgrades expected in the Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS) and the imminent fielding of the Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS).