New Delhi, Mar 2: In a major boost towards the 'Make-in-India' in the defence sector, the Ministry of Defence has received a proposal from Indian Army to buy 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) for deployment along the borders with China and Pakistan.

 

 

Army is seeking to acquire 310 such towed guns worth over USD 1 billion which is expected to be cleared by the defence ministry, following which orders can be placed. It will then replace the Bofors towed guns that are the current mainstay 155 mm artillery system in service.

 

 

 

These gun systems are designed by DRDO and has been extensively tested by the army in different terrain, from desert areas to high altitude ranges in Sikkim, and have been declared fit for induction.

 

High altitude performance of the guns is an important factor given the Ladakh border crisis with China. Among the tests conducted by the army were sustained firing drills using just the backup battery at heights of over 13,000 feet and checking performance at extremely low temperature.

 

The ATAGS is configured with all electric drive to ensure maintenance free and reliable operation over a longer period of time. It has advanced features in terms of high mobility, quick deployability, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system, automatic command and control system with night firing capability in the direct fire mode.