Indian Army to Commence Trials of Indigenous Mounted Gun System with Rapid 'Shoot and Scoot' Capability
The Indian Army is poised to commence testing on a mounted gun system developed domestically, which boasts the capability to fire and relocate in just 85 seconds. This feature is expected to provide a strategic advantage in contemporary combat scenarios by evading enemy counter-battery attacks. Officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) confirmed on Monday that the weapon will undergo trials in various terrains and weather conditions.
Developed at the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) in Ahmednagar, the 155mm/52 calibre truck-mounted howitzer is an evolution of the advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS). It is capable of firing six rounds per minute and can accurately strike targets beyond 45 kilometres. In internal trials conducted in Balasore and Pokhran, the gun successfully fired over 100 rounds, demonstrating its effectiveness.
The system boasts up to 85% indigenous content and is equipped with shock-absorbing stabilisers, a blast-resistant armoured cabin, onboard silent electric power, and an integrated electronic controller. Its design facilitates rapid deployment and enhanced mobility, aligning with the speed and flexibility characteristic of mechanised units.
The army has requested preliminary trials for the MGS outside the existing competitive bidding process that began in 2023. Companies vying for a separate order of 300 mounted gun systems include Bharat Forge Limited, Tata Advanced Systems, Adani Defence in collaboration with an Israeli company, and Advanced Weapons Equipment India Ltd.
DRDO has transferred the production technology for the MGS to Bharat Forge. The Indian Army has identified a need for 700–800 such systems. Bharat Forge and Tata have already secured a contract to deliver 307 ATAGS units under a ₹6,900 crore agreement signed in March 2025.
According to officials, the MGS offers advantages comparable to the French Caesar and Israeli ATMOS systems, renowned during the Russia-Ukraine conflict for their high mobility and rapid repositioning abilities. India's forthcoming evaluations are designed to address its artillery mobility needs.
This initiative is part of a broader artillery modernization plan focusing on five main aspects: upgrading to 155mm guns across regiments, integrating longer-range precision rockets and missiles, acquiring more potent ammunition, enhancing surveillance and target acquisition units, and streamlining the sensor-to-shooter process.
In addition to the MGS, India is incorporating self-propelled K9 Vajra-T guns into its arsenal. A repeat order valued at ₹7,629 crore was signed with Larsen & Toubro in December 2024. With the exception of the US-imported M777 ultra-light howitzers, most of India's recent artillery procurements have been domestically produced.
