Armenia Set to Buy 80 More Indian ATAGS Artillery Guns from Kalyani Group After Highly Satisfied From First Batch of 12 ATAGS

Armenia has expressed high satisfaction with the 12 Indian-made Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) it received in 2023, and is now preparing to purchase 80 more from Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) — a major step forward in the growing defence partnership between India and Armenia.

The first 12 155mm/52-calibre howitzers were delivered last year and have since been successfully integrated into the Armenian Army’s operations. The guns underwent rigorous field testing across Armenia’s tough terrains, including mountain ranges and open plains. According to reliable defence sources, the ATAGS guns showed excellent performance in mobility, reliability, and long-range accuracy.

One of the standout features of the Indian system is its ability to fire high-explosive shells up to 48 kilometres, outperforming many legacy systems. Armenian officials are particularly impressed by the gun’s range and rate of fire, which are superior to their older Soviet-era artillery systems like the D-30 122mm and 2A65 Msta-B 152mm.

A key reason for Armenia’s confidence in the system is KSSL’s willingness to customize the ATAGS for Armenian needs. For example, the Trajectory Computation Module (TCM) was upgraded with an Armenian-language interface, making the system more accessible for local gunners. This kind of user-focused flexibility has added to the system’s appeal.

Armenia's decision to expand its ATAGS fleet is also timely. KSSL is about to begin mass production of ATAGS for the Indian Army, following a March 2025 contract worth around $830 million for 307 units. This scale of production is expected to lower costs for other buyers, including Armenia.

The ATAGS is a fully indigenous Indian artillery gun developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with private defence companies Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). It represents India’s growing capability in exporting high-tech defence systems and marks a shift for countries like Armenia seeking to diversify away from traditional suppliers such as Russia.

With this potential new deal, Armenia is not just modernizing its army—it is also reinforcing its trust in India as a reliable defence partner in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.