Defence Ministry Signs Rs 6,900-Crore Deal With Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems
This is the first major procurement of towed guns from the private sector by the Indian Army, the ministry says.
The Ministry of Defence signed contracts with Bharat Forge Ltd. and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. on Wednesday for acquiring advanced towed artillery gun systems and high mobility vehicles for Rs 6,900 crore.
The ministry's total contract size has risen to Rs 1.4 lakh crore so far in the current financial year. The 155 mm/52-calibre ATAGS will replace the vintage and smaller-calibre guns and enhance the artillery capabilities of the Indian Army, according to an official press release.
The procurement is a major step towards modernising the artillery regiments and improving operational readiness. It will also enhance the army's firepower, enabling accurate and long-range attacks, the release said.
Being the first major procurement of towed guns from the private sector by the Indian Army, the procurement will provide a boost to the Indian gun manufacturing industry and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole.
