SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army’s quest for a modern, lightweight, and agile artillery system has taken a significant step forward with the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Towed Gun System (TGS) program.
Designed to meet the Army’s stringent requirement of a 155mm/52 calibre howitzer weighing under 15 tons, the TGS program sees DRDO offering a low-weight variant of its acclaimed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). However, this lighter iteration has a notable compromise: it will feature a 23-litre chamber instead of the original ATAGS’s larger 25-litre chamber. This change has sparked discussion about performance versus mobility trade-offs.
The TGS program emerges from the Indian Army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP), which aims to standardize its artillery fleet around the 155mm calibre while addressing the logistical challenges of diverse terrains, particularly along the northern borders. The original ATAGS, a collaborative triumph between DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and private giants Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge, set a benchmark with its exceptional range—up to 48 kilometres with high-explosive base-bleed (HE-BB) ammunition—and advanced features like an all-electric drive. However, its 18-ton weight has been a sticking point, rendering it less suitable for rapid deployment in mountainous or infrastructure-limited regions.
In response, the Army issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a Towed Gun System weighing no more than 15 tons, prompting DRDO to adapt its ATAGS design. The TGS program thus represents a strategic pivot, prioritizing mobility and deployability over some of the original system’s heavier-hitting attributes. The Army envisions procuring approximately 400 TGS units initially, with potential expansion to 1,200, signalling its intent to make this the mainstay of its towed artillery fleet.
Central to the TGS offering is a lighter barrel and a reduced chamber capacity of 23 litres, down from the ATAGS’s 25-litre chamber. The larger chamber in the original design allowed for greater propellant charges, enabling the ATAGS to achieve its world-record range and enhanced lethality. By contrast, the 23-litre chamber in the TGS aligns it more closely with global standards—such as the French Nexter or Israeli Elbit systems—while shaving off critical weight to meet the 15-ton threshold. This reduction, combined with a lighter barrel and optimized structural design, ensures the TGS can be towed by standard military trucks and airlifted more easily, enhancing its utility in high-altitude areas like Ladakh or Arunachal Pradesh.
However, the shift to a 23-litre chamber comes at a cost. The smaller chamber limits the amount of propellant, potentially reducing the maximum range compared to the ATAGS’s 48 kilometres. While exact figures for the TGS’s range remain undisclosed, it’s likely to fall closer to the 40-45 kilometre mark seen in other 155mm/52 calibre systems with 23-litre chambers firing similar ammunition. This trade-off has raised eyebrows among analysts who argue that the ATAGS’s superior range gave India a strategic edge, particularly against adversaries like China, whose artillery systems might be outgunned at extended distances.
DRDO’s decision to offer a low-weight ATAGS variant under the TGS program reflects a pragmatic response to the Army’s operational priorities. The 18-ton ATAGS, while a technological marvel, required heavier towing vehicles and posed logistical challenges in rugged terrains. The TGS, by contrast, promises greater tactical flexibility—capable of swift deployment across plains, deserts, and mountains—without necessitating a complete overhaul of the Army’s existing logistics chain. Its lighter frame also aligns with lessons from modern conflicts, such as Ukraine, where mobility has proven as critical as firepower.
To mitigate the loss of the 25-litre chamber’s advantages, DRDO is likely integrating other ATAGS strengths into the TGS, such as its all-electric drive for reliability and automation features for faster firing rates. The TGS is expected to retain compatibility with a range of 155mm ammunition, including precision-guided munitions, ensuring it remains a versatile and potent system despite the reduced chamber size.
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