SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant stride toward self-reliance in India’s defense sector, the Chairman of Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge Ltd., has announced that the indigenous content in their weapon platforms, particularly the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), will exceed 80%. “Since we are making almost everything in-house, the indigenous content will be in excess of 80%. It will be a purely Indian-developed and Indian-manufactured platform,” the Chairman stated, emphasizing the company’s commitment to minimizing reliance on foreign components.
The ATAGS, a 155mm/52 caliber towed howitzer developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been a flagship project for India’s artillery modernization. Initially, the gun boasted an indigenous content (IC) of around 60%, a commendable figure for a system of its complexity. However, KSSL is now pushing the envelope further, aiming to elevate this to 80% as production ramps up. This increase reflects the company’s focus on in-house manufacturing and its strategic investments in research, design, and supply chain localization.
The announcement comes on the heels of a landmark contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for 307 ATAGS units, a deal finalized in March 2025. Under this agreement, KSSL emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) and will manufacture 184 of these guns, while the remaining 123 will be produced by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), the second-lowest bidder (L2). Notably, the contract specifies that the production will be based on the Kalyani variant of the ATAGS, a design that has outperformed its competitors in trials and cost-effectiveness. This split—approximately 60% to Kalyani and 40% to Tata—underscores a balanced approach by the MoD to foster competition while leveraging the strengths of India’s private defense industry.
The push to exceed 80% indigenous content is not just a technical achievement but a strategic one. By producing critical components domestically—from barrels and breech systems to advanced electronics—KSSL is reducing vulnerabilities associated with imported parts, such as supply chain disruptions or geopolitical constraints. This aligns seamlessly with the government’s “Make in India” initiative, which seeks to transform India into a global hub for defense manufacturing. The Chairman’s assertion that the ATAGS will be a “purely Indian-developed and Indian-manufactured platform” highlights KSSL’s role in realizing this vision.
The ATAGS itself is a testament to Indian ingenuity. Capable of firing at ranges up to 48 kilometers—among the longest for its class—it features advanced automation, a software-driven firing system, and high mobility across diverse terrains. These attributes have made it a cornerstone of the Indian Army’s efforts to replace aging artillery systems with modern, homegrown solutions. The MoD’s approval of the 307-gun contract, valued at approximately ?7,000 crore (US$800 million), also includes 327 gun-towing vehicles, further enhancing the Army’s operational flexibility.
For KSSL, the journey to 80% indigenous content involves scaling up its already formidable production capabilities. The company’s state-of-the-art facility in Pune, which the Chairman has previously described as potentially “the world’s largest artillery manufacturing facility,” is gearing up to produce over 350 guns annually—equivalent to one gun per day. This capacity not only meets domestic demand but also positions KSSL as a major exporter, with 100 artillery guns shipped to international buyers in 2024 alone, including a notable deal with Armenia.
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