Bharat Forge shares are likely to be in focus on March 27 after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the signing of a ₹6,900 crore contract for the procurement of 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) and High Mobility Vehicle 6×6 Gun Towing Vehicles. The landmark contract has been awarded to Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, further strengthening Bharat Forge’s growing position in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The announcement was made by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on March 26, highlighting that the procurement is part of the Indian Army’s artillery modernisation drive aimed at enhancing operational readiness. These indigenous systems are expected to significantly enhance the Indian Army’s firepower, replacing outdated legacy towed guns and enabling longer-range precision strikes.
Bharat Forge’s involvement in the project marks a key milestone as it positions itself at the forefront of India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision. The company has previously invested heavily in its defence vertical and this project further reinforces its credibility as a major private-sector partner to the government in indigenous military programs.
The 155mm/52 calibre ATAGS is developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune and will be manufactured by Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems. ATAGS boasts state-of-the-art features including high firing range, advanced target accuracy and mobility, making it one of the most advanced artillery platforms globally.
The defence ministry also noted that this is the first major procurement of towed guns from the private sector and will significantly boost employment, innovation, and localised supply chains within India’s defence manufacturing landscape.
