The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) represents a significant leap in India’s artillery capabilities, designed to meet futuristic battlefield requirements. Initiated in 2012, the project was sanctioned to the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE). The ATAGS is engineered for superior range, accuracy, and operational consistency, making it a formidable asset in diverse terrains and weather conditions, as highlighted by ARDE Director A Raju.

The ATAGS is compatible with existing in-service ammunition and integrates seamlessly with the Indian Army’s Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS). This integration aims to automate field artillery operations, enhancing trajectory computation and secure communication. Structurally, the ATAGS comprises two main sub-assemblies: the upper carriage, which includes the gun barrel, breech, muzzle brake, recoil system, and ammunition handling system; and the undercarriage, which features structural, automotive, and auxiliary systems.

A key innovation of the ATAGS is its all-electric drive system, ensuring maintenance-free and reliable field operations. This system automates processes such as laying, shell loading, ramming, and gun deployment, thereby increasing the rate of fire. The self-propulsion capability is achieved through an auxiliary power unit (APU) that incorporates an automotive system and hydraulic transmission.

Designed for both direct and indirect fire modes, the ATAGS is equipped with advanced sighting systems. In direct fire mode using an optronic sight, it can engage targets up to 1.5 km away. The optronic sight includes a day camera, thermal imaging, and a laser range finder with identification capabilities up to 2 km and detection range up to 10 km.

The reliability of the recoil system has been rigorously tested through at least 100 cycles of continuous recoil and run-out cycles on a specially designed test bench. The ATAGS can deliver 10 high-explosive shells on a target within 2.5 minutes or five rounds in 60 seconds in burst fire mode. Depending on the ammunition type, it can achieve firing ranges up to 48 km.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the procurement of 307 ATAGS units for the Indian Army. This advanced artillery system was first showcased at the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2017.