SOURCE: AFI
A new image circulating online has provided the first visual confirmation of India’s Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) deployed in Armenia, marking a significant milestone in the expanding defense partnership between the two nations. The photograph, which surfaced on social media platforms, also features an Armenian camouflaged MT-LBu armored personnel carrier (APC) positioned behind the ATAGS howitzer, likely serving as an artillery fire control system for the battery. This development underscores Armenia’s ongoing military modernization efforts and India’s emergence as a key supplier of advanced defense technologies in the region.
The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), a 155mm/52-caliber towed howitzer developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), is designed for high mobility, rapid deployment, and precision firepower. Armenia’s acquisition of ATAGS began with an initial order of six units in 2023, followed by advanced negotiations for an additional 78 units valued at $155 million. The howitzers have undergone rigorous testing in Armenia’s diverse terrains, including high-altitude mountainous regions and plains, demonstrating their adaptability and long-range accuracy.
The recently surfaced image shows the ATAGS in operational use, adorned with Armenian camouflage, signaling its integration into the Armenian Armed Forces. The presence of the MT-LBu APC, a Soviet-era tracked vehicle often used as a command and control platform for artillery batteries, suggests that Armenia is leveraging its existing infrastructure to enhance the ATAGS’s operational effectiveness. The MT-LBu, equipped with advanced fire control systems, likely supports the ATAGS battery by providing real-time targeting data and coordination, optimizing the howitzer’s precision and responsiveness in combat scenarios.
The ATAGS is a state-of-the-art artillery system tailored for modern warfare, boasting an array of advanced features. With a maximum firing range of 48 km using high explosive–base bleed (HE–BB) ammunition, the ATAGS set a world record for 155mm/52-caliber guns during trials in 2017. Its automated gun alignment, positioning system, and integrated fire control system, including a muzzle velocity radar and thermal imager, enable precise targeting even in low-visibility conditions. The system’s all-electric drive enhances reliability and reduces maintenance, while its ability to fire 10 rounds in 2.5 minutes in burst mode underscores its high rate of fire.
Weighing approximately 18 tons, the ATAGS is towed by an Ashok Leyland FAT 6×6 truck and can transition from towing to firing mode in just two minutes, making it ideal for rapid deployment in dynamic battlefield environments. Its compatibility with India’s Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS) “Shakti” further enhances its operational efficiency, allowing seamless integration with command networks. Armenia’s customization of the ATAGS, including an Armenian-language interface, reflects its commitment to tailoring the system to local operational needs.
Armenia’s acquisition of ATAGS is part of a broader effort to modernize its armed forces, driven by ongoing security challenges, particularly its conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resulted in significant losses of Armenia’s Soviet-era artillery, including D-20 and D-30 howitzers, necessitating urgent upgrades. The ATAGS, with its high-altitude operability and mobility, is well-suited to Armenia’s mountainous terrain, offering a significant upgrade over its obsolete 122mm and 152mm systems.
The surfaced image also highlights Armenia’s strategic shift away from reliance on Russian arms, which have dominated its arsenal for decades. In addition to ATAGS, Armenia has procured India’s Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, Akash air defense systems, and MArG 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers, with defense contracts totaling over $1 billion in recent years. This diversification reflects Armenia’s intent to bolster its defensive and offensive capabilities amid regional tensions, particularly with Azerbaijan, which is supported by Turkish and Pakistani weapons.
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