India to obtain 307 ATAGs; CCS Clears Proposal
In a bid to strengthen its protection capabilities alongside the border, the Indian Military has proposed the acquisition of 307 115m Superior Towed Artillery Weapons (ATAGs) to be deployed alongside the China-Pakistan border. The proposal has been cleared by the Cupboard Committee on Safety (CCS) and the procurement course of will start quickly, experiences cited.
What are ATAGs
The ATAGs are state-of-the-art artillery weapons which have a spread of over 50 kilometers and are able to precisely firing as much as six rounds in lower than three minutes. These howitzers are a simple battle deterrents, however in case of battle, these weapons are designed to be towed by heavy vehicles and may be deployed shortly to inflict heavy damages on enemy bunkers and construct ups.
ATAGs and Atmanirbhar Bharat
The Indian Military has chosen two firms, Bharat Forge and Tata Superior Programs, to assist in the procurement course of. The expertise and know-how of uncooked howitzers have been shared with the businesses and they are going to be chargeable for the manufacture and supply of the ATAGs. They may also present Excessive Mobility Automobiles for the deployment of the howitzers. The acquisition of the ATAGs is a big step in the direction of attaining Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in protection manufacturing.
Use of ATAGs
The CCS clearance for the proposal comes after intensive testing of the ATAGs by the Indian Military. The weapons had been examined within the Pokhran vary and in varied terrains and climate situations to make sure their effectiveness and reliability. In open subject fights, ATAGs precisely destroy enemy bunkers giving again assist to infantry troops.
These are additionally important in excessive terrain fights, the place they guarantee artillery cowl for infantry troops to shut into enemy bunkers. With current skirmishes with China in Ladakh and Arunanchal Pradesh area, excessive altitude utility of those ATAGs are extraordinarily important. The ATAGs are geared up with the newest expertise, together with superior fireplace management methods, navigation methods, and communication methods. The weapons even have a excessive price of fireplace and are able to firing a wide range of ammunition varieties, together with guided projectiles. The essential testing additionally included take a look at firing the ATAGs in 13000 toes altitude in each night time and day mild situation, the place sustained firing of 60 rounds per hour had been examined on tank sized targets.
The Deal and Reactions
The price of the deal is estimated to be round Rs 12,000 crores ($1.6 billion), making it one of many largest protection offers in current occasions. The acquisition of the ATAGs is a part of the Indian Military’s modernization drive to improve its ageing artillery arsenal.
The proposal to accumulate the ATAGs has been welcomed by protection consultants and analysts. The deployment of the ATAGs alongside the China-Pakistan border is essential for India’s protection technique. The border with China has been a significant level of rivalry between the 2 nations, with each side participating in frequent border disputes. The acquisition of the ATAGs will present the Indian Military with a bonus in case of a battle. The procurement of the ATAGs by the Indian Military is a big step in the direction of attaining self-reliance in protection manufacturing. The deployment of those state-of-the-art artillery weapons alongside the China-Pakistan border will present the Indian Military with a strategic benefit in case of a battle.
