SOURCE: AFI
Renowned defense analyst Ranesh Rajan has criticized the Indian Army’s assessment of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), deeming it unfit for high-altitude warfare. Rajan argued that the ATAGS, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), could outperform any lighter 155mm artillery systems fielded by China in such terrains due to its superior range and firepower.
The ATAGS is a state-of-the-art 155mm/52-caliber towed artillery system with an extended chamber size of 25 liters, compared to the standard 23 liters found in most contemporary artillery systems. This design enables the gun to achieve an impressive range of up to 50 kilometers, particularly advantageous in high-altitude regions where the thinner air enhances the projectile’s trajectory.
Rajan noted that “ATAGS at high altitude could have demonstrated target hits as far as 50 kilometers, surpassing any light 155mm guns the Chinese could field.”
The Indian Army has reportedly scaled down its ATAGS requirements, citing its weight of 18 tons as a significant challenge for deployment in high-altitude areas. This necessitates the use of more powerful towing trucks, which the Army considers less feasible for rapid mobility and logistical efficiency in mountainous terrain.
Instead, the Army has prioritized the procurement of a lighter 155mm artillery system, dubbed the Towed Gun System (TGS), which is expected to weigh 15 tons or less. The preference for a lighter system is aimed at improving operational flexibility and reducing logistical burdens in challenging environments.
Critics argue that the Army’s preference for lighter artillery may come at the cost of compromising firepower and range. Rajan emphasized that “ATAGS is not just a gun but a strategic asset that could have given the Army an edge in long-range precision strikes, particularly in the rugged terrains of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.”
While the ATAGS may require powerful towing vehicles, its unmatched capabilities in terms of range, rate of fire, and accuracy make it a formidable choice for modern warfare, even in high-altitude conditions.
The Army’s focus on mobility and lighter systems is understandable given the logistical constraints of high-altitude warfare. However, defense experts suggest a more balanced approach that integrates the ATAGS into select roles where its range and firepower can be fully utilized, alongside lighter systems for rapid deployment.