DRDO’s Smart Ammo to Extend ATAGS Artillery Range Beyond 80 Km

India’s artillery firepower is set to take a massive leap forward with the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), an indigenously developed long-range artillery platform, now being prepared for integration with next-generation smart ammunition that could extend its range beyond 80 km.

Currently, the ATAGS, a 155mm/52 calibre howitzer developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with TATA Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge, has already demonstrated an impressive firing range of 48 km using conventional ammunition. It is considered one of the most powerful towed artillery systems in the world, combining precision, automation, and rapid deployment.

But now, DRDO’s focus is shifting toward an even more ambitious goal—increasing the range and accuracy of artillery rounds with cutting-edge smart ammunition technologies.

What’s Coming Next: Smart and Ramjet-Powered Shells

The first step in this upgrade is the Bourrelet series of smart ammunition, aimed at delivering incremental improvements in range and precision. However, the real game-changer lies in the pipeline: precision-guided shells and ramjet-powered projectiles.

The precision-guided rounds, set to arrive around 2027, will be equipped with NavIC-based satellite navigation (with GPS as a fallback) and in-flight guidance systems, allowing for pinpoint accuracy over extended distances. These will be particularly useful for deep-strike operations in high-value target zones, even under challenging terrain and weather.

The crown jewel of DRDO’s plan is the development of ramjet artillery shells. Unlike conventional shells, these rounds will carry their own propulsion system, allowing them to travel beyond 80 km—a significant jump from the current 48 km capability. DRDO expects this technology to mature within the next five years.

These shells will also come with a Precision Guidance Kit for mid-flight corrections, drastically increasing hit accuracy at extreme ranges. What makes them even more versatile is their compatibility with all standard 155mm platforms used by the Indian Army, including the Haubits FH77, Dhanush, and K9 Vajra-T, apart from ATAGS.

ATAGS: India’s Most Advanced Gun System

The ATAGS platform itself stands as a symbol of India’s defence indigenisation drive. It is over 80% indigenous and features:

• Fully automated operation,

• Rapid deployment (ready to fire in under 90 seconds),

• Wide traverse range for greater battlefield flexibility, and

• Compatibility with a full range of 155mm ammunition, including high-explosive, smoke, illumination, and soon, smart and guided shells.

In March 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts for 307 ATAGS units and 327 high-mobility towing vehicles, marking the largest artillery acquisition in decades. These new systems will significantly boost the Indian Army’s long-range strike capability, offering deep precision engagement in high-altitude, desert, and jungle terrain alike.

A New Chapter in Indian Artillery

The DRDO’s smart ammunition initiative is not just about range—it’s about transforming how artillery is used in modern warfare. With accurate, long-range firepower, India will be able to strike deeper, respond faster, and reduce collateral damage—all while relying on home-grown technologies.

Once fully integrated, the ATAGS + smart ammo combination will place India among the global leaders in next-generation artillery warfare, signaling a new age of high-lethality, precision-guided military capability rooted in indigenous innovation.