India to supply 84 more 155mm (ATAGS) to Armenia
Armenia has decided to procure additional 84 of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) from India, to check Azerbaijan in its tracks. The total deal will be for INR 13000 crores. With this deal India emerges as a major arms supplier on the global stage, as it marks a notable development in the defence sector.
This ATAGS acquisition by Armenia comes is because of increasing tensions in the region. The country has been seeking to modernize its armed forces in response to ongoing security challenges, notably its conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Turkey and Pakistan have been supplying fighter jets and other offensive weapons to Azerbaijan.
The ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) is a leap forward in Indian artillery technology. It is a joint project developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with private sector entities.
The system is designed to meet the modern requirements of ground forces, the ATAGS is a 155mm/52-caliber towed artillery, with a horizontal angle from minus 20 to 25 degrees and a vertical one from minus 3 to 70 degrees, ATAGS shell can reach targets at a maximum range of 48 km, in 15 seconds. With its specificities of high altitude use, it’s perfectly adapted to the Armenian environment.
The addition of the ATAGS to Armenia’s arsenal is seen as a critical step in enhancing its defensive and offensive operations, providing a significant upgrade to its existing artillery capabilities.
In 2023, Armenia acquired 6 of these ATAGS and signed several other contracts with Indian firms on MArG 155 wheeled self-propelled howitzers, and the Akash air defence system.
The deployment of the ATAGS with the Armenian Forces will not only transform Armenia’s artillery capabilities but also serve as a benchmark for other countries considering Indian defence products.
This deal, therefore, not only signifies a milestone in India-Armenia defence relations but also exemplifies India’s rising prominence as a key player in the international defence market.
