Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)

In News

• Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) is a indigenous howitzer used in Independence Day 21-gun salute.

Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)

• About:
  • It is an indigenously developed howitzer gun 155 mm x 52 calibre designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
    • Howitzers is an umbrella term for a category of long-range artillery guns.
  • The ATAGS project was started in 2013 by DRDO to replace older guns in service in the Indian Army with a modern 155 mm artillery gun.
• Features:
  • The armament system of ATAGS mainly comprises barrel, breech mechanism, muzzle brake and recoil mechanism to fire 155 mm calibre ammunition held by Army with a longer range, accuracy and precision and provides greater firepower.
  • The ATAGS is configured with all electric drive to ensure maintenance free and reliable operation over a longer period of time.
  • It has advanced features in terms of high mobility, quick deployability, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system, automatic command and control system with night firing capability in the direct fire mode.
  • The specialised gun system is compatible with C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence) systems like the Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS) called Shakti for technical fire control, fire planning, deployment management, and operational logistics management of the Army.
• Future role:
  • The development process of ATAGS by the DRDO coincides with development of Howitzer Dhanush for Advanced Weapons and Equipment India of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board.
  • In 2019, the Army and the Ministry of Defence gave bulk production clearance to produce 114 Dhanush.

Source: IE