Government Secures ₹6,900 Crore Deals for Modern Artillery and Vehicles
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Synopsis
The Indian government has announced a significant procurement deal valued at ₹6,900 crore with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced System for advanced artillery gun systems and high mobility vehicles, enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Army.
Key Takeaways
- Contracts worth ₹6,900 crore signed with Bharat Forge and Tata.
- Acquisition of 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS).
- First major procurement of towed guns from the private sector.
- Enhancement of artillery capabilities for the Indian Army.
- Total MoD contracts in the current fiscal reach ₹1.40 lakh crore.
New Delhi, March 26 (NationPress) In an effort to significantly boost the operational efficiency of the Indian Army, the government revealed on Wednesday contracts with Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced System Limited for the acquisition of 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) and High Mobility Vehicle 6x6 Gun Towing Vehicles, amounting to approximately ₹6,900 crore.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) formalized these agreements with the two firms in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in the nation's capital.
This recent development brings the total value of contracts signed by the MoD for capital procurement in the ongoing fiscal year to ₹1.40 lakh crore.
The 155 mm/52 Calibre ATAGS is set to replace older and less capable artillery systems, thereby upgrading the artillery strength of the Indian Army.
The Ministry of Defence emphasized that acquiring this advanced gun system is a pivotal step toward modernizing the Artillery Regiments and enhancing their operational capabilities.
“ATAGS, known for its outstanding lethality, will be instrumental in strengthening the Army's firepower through accurate and long-range bombardments,” it stated.
This marks the first major acquisition of towed artillery from the private sector by the Indian Army, which is anticipated to support the growth of the Indian gun manufacturing sector and the broader indigenous defense industry.
In the previous week, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved eight proposals totaling over ₹54,000 crore, which encompass the acquisition of more powerful engines for the Army's T-90 tanks, anti-submarine torpedoes for the Navy, and Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft Systems for the Air Force.
The council also granted ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ (AoN) for the procurement of a 1350 HP engine to upgrade the existing 1000 HP engine for T-90 tanks.
Likewise, the Council endorsed the purchase of the indigenously developed Varunastra Torpedoes (Combat) for the Indian Navy.
