SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Armenia, seeking to modernize its artillery capabilities amid ongoing tensions with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, has emerged as a key buyer of India’s indigenous defense systems, particularly the MArG 155mm/39 caliber wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge.
In 2022, Armenia secured a $155.5 million contract for 72 MArG 39 howitzers, marking a significant milestone in India-Armenia defense ties. Following successful operational tests of the MArG 39 across various Armenian terrains, the country is now evaluating the upgraded MArG 45, a 155mm/45 caliber variant offering enhanced range and firepower. Sources cited by the Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org) indicate that Armenia’s positive experience with the MArG 39, combined with its need for lightweight, mobile artillery suited for mountainous regions, prompted interest in the MArG 45.
Additionally, KSSL has offered Armenia a truck-mounted 155mm/52 caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), further expanding options for Yerevan’s artillery modernization. This deepening partnership underscores India’s growing role as a global defense supplier and Armenia’s strategy to diversify its arms sources, while also posing indirect challenges for Pakistan’s regional defense posture.
The MArG 155mm/39 caliber howitzer, mounted on a 4×4 military truck, is a unique lightweight artillery system weighing 18 tons, designed for rapid deployment and “shoot-and-scoot” tactics. Its key features include a 24km range with conventional rounds, compatibility with NATO-standard ammunition, and a rapid deployment time of 1.5 minutes during the day and 2 minutes at night. The system, based on KSSL’s Ultra-Light Howitzer (ULH), was tested by the Indian Army in Balasore and Pokhran before being offered to Armenia, which sought a mobile artillery platform for highland operations.
Armenia’s $155.5 million deal in November 2022 included 72 MArG 39 howitzers, with deliveries beginning in 2023. According to idrw.org, Armenian officials conducted intensive trials of the system in 2022, confirming its performance in rugged mountainous terrain. By mid-2024, the MArG 39 had undergone successful operational tests across various Armenian locations, meeting marksmanship standards and proving its reliability in high-altitude conditions similar to those along the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC). The system’s ability to negotiate 30-degree gradients and carry 18 rounds with Zone 5 charges has made it a valuable asset for Armenia’s Ground Forces, which lost significant artillery during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Encouraged by the MArG 39’s performance, Armenia is now evaluating the MArG 45, a 155mm/45 caliber variant unveiled by KSSL at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi on February 17, 2025. The MArG 45, weighing 23.5 tons, extends the firing range to over 36km with conventional rounds, offering improved elevation (-2 to +72 degrees) and a traverse of 25 degrees left and right. It retains the 4×4 chassis for all-terrain maneuverability, a hallmark of the MArG series, and can fire 10 rounds in 3 minutes (intense mode) or sustain 42 rounds in 60 minutes. The upgrade was developed based on feedback from Armenia, which sought greater range while maintaining the lightweight, mobile design suited for its mountainous borders.
KSSL’s rapid development of the MArG 45, showcased at DEFEA 2025 in Athens, highlights its responsiveness to customer needs. The system’s simplified mechanical architecture reduces maintenance demands, a critical factor for Armenia’s resource-constrained military. Its compatibility with NATO ammunition ensures interoperability, aligning with Armenia’s strategy to diversify from Soviet-era systems. The MArG 45’s “shoot-and-scoot” capability, enabling it to fire and relocate within 90 seconds, addresses lessons from the Ukraine-Russia conflict, where mobile artillery has proven vital against drone and counter-battery threats.
In addition to the MArG 45, KSSL has offered Armenia a truck-mounted 155mm/52 caliber variant based on the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), developed by DRDO in partnership with KSSL and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). The ATAGS, with a 48km range and over 65% indigenous components, is a towed howitzer designed for high mobility and precision. Armenia has already procured six ATAGS units in 2023, with plans for an additional 84 following successful trials in 2024. The truck-mounted ATAGS, based on a BEML 8×8 High Mobility Vehicle, offers enhanced range and firepower compared to the MArG series, potentially complementing Armenia’s existing systems.
The ATAGS’s high-altitude performance, demonstrated in Sikkim at 15,500 feet, makes it suitable for Armenia’s terrain. However, its heavier weight (around 18 tons for the towed version) and reliance on an 8×8 chassis may limit its agility compared to the MArG 45’s 4×4 platform. Armenia’s interest in the truck-mounted ATAGS reflects its intent to build a layered artillery capability, combining lightweight, mobile systems like the MArG with longer-range, heavier platforms.
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