Indian Army to trial indigenous mounted gun with rapid ‘shoot-and-scoot’ capability
Ahmednagar, July 8. The Indian Army is set to begin extensive field trials of a new indigenously developed Mounted Gun System (MGS), a state-of-the-art 155mm/52 calibre artillery platform designed for swift deployment and enhanced mobility in modern combat operations.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) in Ahmednagar, the MGS is a mobile variant of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), which is already being inducted to upgrade the Army’s artillery units.
Key features of the MGS
Rapid ‘shoot-and-scoot’ functionality: The gun can transition from transport mode to firing in just 80 seconds and move again within 85 seconds after firing, enabling it to evade enemy counter-battery fire quickly.
High-precision firepower: Capable of firing six rounds per minute, the system can hit targets over 45 km away with exceptional accuracy and consistency.
Enhanced mobility and protection: Mounted on an 8×8 high-mobility vehicle, the MGS features shock-absorbing stabilisers, a blast-resistant cabin, onboard silent electric power, and integrated electronic systems – enabling rapid movement across challenging terrains like deserts and mountains.
Indigenous focus: With up to 85 percent locally sourced components, the system underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Automation and efficiency: The MGS is equipped with automatic gun alignment, digital fire control, and automated ammunition handling, significantly reducing crew workload and increasing operational speed.
Development and future outlook
Following successful internal trials at Balasore and Pokhran – where over 100 rounds were fired – the Army has asked VRDE to subject the MGS to more rigorous testing across various terrains and climatic conditions. This move is independent of the ongoing competitive process for procuring 300 mounted gun systems, in which firms like Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems, Adani Defence (in collaboration with an Israeli partner), and Advanced Weapons Equipment India Ltd. are participating.
DRDO has already transferred the MGS technology to Bharat Forge for manufacturing. The Army’s long-term requirement could range between 700 and 800 such guns to bolster its artillery’s agility and reach.
The induction of the MGS forms a critical part of the Army’s artillery modernisation programme, alongside systems like Dhanush, ATAGS, K9 Vajra, and other towed artillery platforms. Shaped by contemporary combat lessons – including those from the Russia-Ukraine war – the Army’s focus is firmly on mobility, rapid deployment, precision targeting, and survivability.
With its cutting-edge design and indigenous roots, the new MGS promises to significantly boost India’s battlefield readiness, enabling rapid, lethal strikes while reducing dependence on foreign weapon systems and strengthening the domestic defence industry.
