SOURCE: AFI
In a resounding affirmation of India’s growing stature in the global defense industry, Baba Kalyani, Chairman & Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd, recently confirmed that Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge, exported an impressive 100 artillery guns in 2024 alone. This achievement underscores the company’s pivotal role in advancing India’s “Make in India” initiative and establishes KSSL as a formidable player in the international artillery market.
Kalyani shared this milestone during a recent statement, highlighting the rapid strides KSSL has made in meeting global demand for advanced, indigenously developed artillery systems. “Kalyani Strategic Systems has exported 100 artillery guns in 2024 alone,” he noted, reflecting the company’s robust manufacturing capabilities and its success in securing international contracts. This export tally includes a variety of artillery platforms, ranging from towed guns like the Bharat-52 and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) to mounted and ultra-light howitzers, showcasing the diversity and sophistication of KSSL’s offerings.
The achievement comes on the heels of a prolific year for KSSL, which has capitalized on its extensive expertise in metallurgy, engineering, and defense technology to cater to foreign militaries. Notable export destinations in recent years include Armenia, which ordered the ATAGS and MArG 155mm artillery systems, and a Middle Eastern nation that secured a $155 million deal in 2022 for 155mm guns. Posts on X have echoed this success, with users noting that KSSL’s export momentum contrasts sharply with the slower pace of domestic artillery induction by the Indian Army, amplifying calls for greater adoption of indigenous systems at home.
Under Baba Kalyani’s leadership, KSSL has emerged as a trailblazer in India’s private defense sector. The company’s portfolio spans multiple domains, including artillery, protected vehicles, and ammunition, with a production capacity that outstrips many global competitors. “We can make 12 guns per month,” Kalyani has previously stated, pointing out that this exceeds the annual output of some of Europe’s largest manufacturers. This scalability, coupled with a focus on innovation, has enabled KSSL to secure orders worth over $600 million in the past few years, including a landmark Letter of Intent (LOI) signed with AM General at IDEX 2025 for the supply of Indian-made artillery cannons to the United States—a historic first for an Indian defense firm.
The export of 100 artillery guns in 2024 alone is not just a numerical feat; it reflects India’s shift from being a traditional arms importer to a credible exporter of high-tech defense equipment. KSSL’s success aligns with the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision, emphasizing self-reliance and global competitiveness. The company’s collaboration with international partners like AM General and its development of next-generation platforms—such as the 105mm and 155mm artillery systems featuring advanced recoil technology—further cement its reputation as a world-class artillery solutions provider.
However, this export triumph has also sparked discussions about domestic procurement. Despite KSSL’s global achievements, the Indian Army has yet to induct significant numbers of these homegrown systems, with some X users pointing out that fewer than 100 new artillery guns have been added to the army’s arsenal since the 2020 Galwan clash. Kalyani has expressed optimism about securing large domestic orders soon, but the disparity between export success and local adoption remains a topic of debate among defense enthusiasts.
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