The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared the purchase of the India-developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) for around Rs 7,000 crore. This is a major step towards India's defense self-reliance.
The ATAGS is the first 155 mm artillery gun to be designed, developed, and produced in India. It will upgrade the fighting capability of the Indian Defence Forces with cutting-edge technology and greater firepower.
The system has a long 52-calibre barrel, enabling longer firing ranges of up to 40 km. With its higher calibre, ATAGS provides higher explosive payloads, making it more lethal. It also has automatic deployment and target acquisition, enabling lower crew fatigue and greater operational effectiveness.
This greenlighting of ATAGS marks India's increased competence in local defense production and technology growth. The ATAGS will also upgrade the artillery of the Indian Army with more advanced guns in place of old 105 mm and 130 mm cannons, thus enhancing the firepower capabilities of the forces. Its deployment at the western and northern borders will give India a strategic advantage with increased operational readiness.
One of the key achievements of this project is its compliance with the 'Make in India' programme. The ATAGS has been designed through a collaborative effort involving the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian private industry collaborators. More than 65% of its components are made domestically, including essential subsystems like the barrel, muzzle brake, breech mechanism, and firing and recoil systems. This reduces India's reliance on imports from other countries and provides for a more autonomous defense technology infrastructure.
Furthermore, the ATAGS is meant for long-term product support with uninterrupted life cycle maintenance and a strong supply chain for spares. The system's low dependence on foreign items such as the Navigation System, Muzzle Velocity Radar, and sensors further enhances India's defense self-reliance.
The clearance for ATAGS is not only a step for India's defense strength; it is also anticipated to create heavy employment, generating 20 lakh man-days in different sectors. Additionally, it places India on the path to becoming a major force in the international defense export sector, with the possibility of increasing future domestic defense exports.
In short, the ATAGS is a milestone achievement in India's defense self-reliance and technological progress, placing the nation on the path to increased strategic autonomy and international influence in the defense industry.
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