Indian Army to Retire Bofors Guns from 2030, Ushering in Indigenous Era with Dhanush and ATAGS
The Indian Army is preparing to bid farewell to one of its most iconic artillery assets — the Swedish-origin Bofors FH77 howitzer — starting around 2030. This move marks a major shift in India's artillery doctrine, setting the stage for a new era dominated by homegrown firepower in the form of the Dhanush and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
Introduced in the early 1980s, the Bofors 155mm/39 calibre guns became legendary during the 1999 Kargil conflict, where their performance in high-altitude warfare earned them widespread acclaim. However, after over four decades of service, these howitzers are gradually showing their age. Of the more than 400 units originally acquired, only around 200 remain operational today due to wear-and-tear, outdated technology, and the growing difficulty of procuring spare parts.
To keep pace with evolving battlefield requirements and global artillery trends, the Indian Army is turning to two new indigenous systems — the Dhanush and the ATAGS — that promise enhanced range, accuracy, and reliability.
The Dhanush howitzer, developed by the former Ordnance Factory Board (now Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd), is a 155mm/45 calibre gun that builds upon the Bofors blueprint. With a range of up to 38 kilometres and modern fire control systems, Dhanush offers a significant improvement over its predecessor. The gun has already been inducted in limited numbers, and the Army is expanding its deployment across various artillery regiments.
Meanwhile, the spotlight is also on the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) — a joint development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with private industry players such as Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge. This 155mm/52 calibre towed gun is a next-generation system with fully automatic ammunition handling, digital fire control, and a range exceeding 48 kilometres — placing it among the most powerful in its category globally.
The Indian Army has ambitious plans to procure around 1,500 units of ATAGS, aiming to significantly strengthen its long-range artillery capabilities. This project is not only a strategic military upgrade but also a vital component of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission to reduce dependence on foreign defence imports and promote indigenous manufacturing.
The retirement of the Bofors FH77 will be carried out in a phased and calculated manner. While the plan officially begins around 2030, some guns may continue in service until the mid-2030s, depending on their operational condition. This staggered timeline ensures that India’s artillery regiments maintain full combat readiness even as older systems are gradually phased out.
By replacing the ageing Bofors with state-of-the-art indigenous systems, the Indian Army is not just modernizing its arsenal — it is redefining its strategic posture. The integration of Dhanush and ATAGS marks a critical evolution in India’s firepower capabilities, combining battlefield effectiveness with national self-reliance.
