Image credit: @DRDO_India
India’s First ATAGS Regiment to Be Battle‑Ready by Feb 2027
India’s artillery modernization program is set for a major milestone as the first regiment of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) will be ready for operational deployment by February 2027. This regiment will comprise 18 long-range 155 mm/52 caliber howitzers and forms part of the Army’s ambitious Artillery Profile 2027, designed to replace legacy systems and enhance indigenous capabilities.
ATAGS artillery
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), ATAGS boasts a superior firing range of 45–47 km, rapid mobility, and a fully automatic loading system. Over 65% of the components in the gun system are made in India, reinforcing the nation’s “Make in India” defense policy.
The gun system has undergone multiple rounds of rigorous trials, including user-assisted testing and validation in difficult terrain and weather conditions. The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the procurement of 307 ATAGS units and 327 gun-towing vehicles in late 2024 at an estimated cost of ₹7,000 crore. Of this, KSSL is producing 60% of the guns, while TASL is delivering the remaining 40%.
Regiment readiness
The February 2027 timeline will mark the formal fielding of the first ATAGS regiment into active service. It is expected to phase out older 105 mm Indian Field Guns and 130 mm M-46 artillery systems. This move is part of a long-term Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, which aims to modernize a total of 15 artillery regiments with next-generation systems.
Enhancing battlefield edge
ATAGS stands out for its rate of fire—10 rounds in 2.5 minutes or 5 rounds per minute—and its ability to reposition quickly using an all-electric drive, making it ideal for high-altitude, all-weather operations. Its night-firing capability and digital fire control systems further enhance tactical responsiveness. A Mounted Gun System (MGS) variant of ATAGS, fitted on a high-mobility truck, is also under development and expected to enter service in the coming years.
Strategic impact
Once inducted, the ATAGS regiment will significantly strengthen India’s long-range strike capabilities, particularly in forward deployment zones. It represents a decisive shift from dependency on foreign artillery platforms toward a self-reliant model, with potential to boost defense exports. Countries like Armenia have already shown interest, with initial units reportedly exported.
As India prepares for the full rollout of its artillery modernization program, the ATAGS project is emerging as a cornerstone of India’s new-age land warfare doctrine—balancing indigenous innovation, combat effectiveness, and rapid deployment capacity.
