India has taken another significant step towards strengthening its defence manufacturing ecosystem. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has officially invited Indian industry partners to participate in the development of a new 155mm/52 calibre Mounted Gun System (MGS). The initiative reflects the country’s continued focus on self-reliance in defence technology while enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Army.

DRDO 155mm Mounted Gun System mounted on a military truck representing India's indigenous next-generation mobile artillery for the Indian Army — An artistic representation of DRDO’s proposed 155mm Mounted Gun System, highlighting India’s efforts to develop an indigenous next-generation mobile artillery platform under the Make in India initiative.

The proposed Mounted Gun System is expected to become one of India’s most advanced mobile artillery platforms, offering rapid deployment, superior mobility, and long-range precision fire support for future battlefield operations.

What Is A Mounted Gun System?

A Mounted Gun System (MGS) is a modern artillery platform where a heavy-calibre gun is integrated onto a high-mobility military truck instead of a traditional tracked chassis. This configuration allows forces to move quickly, deploy within minutes, engage targets at long distances, and relocate immediately after firing.

Military planners often describe this capability as “Shoot and Scoot,” a crucial feature in modern warfare that helps artillery units avoid enemy counter-battery attacks.

Compared with conventional towed artillery, mounted systems require fewer personnel, reduce deployment time, improve battlefield mobility, and support faster tactical decision-making.

DRDO’s Industry Partnership Initiative

Instead of developing every component independently, DRDO is encouraging Indian private industries to become strategic development and manufacturing partners.

Through this collaborative approach, DRDO aims to:

Accelerate indigenous defence production.
Improve manufacturing efficiency.
Encourage private-sector innovation.
Build a stronger domestic defence industrial base.
Support long-term export opportunities.

This public-private partnership model aligns closely with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, both of which seek to reduce dependence on imported military equipment.

Expected Features Of The 155mm Mounted Gun System

Although the final technical specifications will emerge during development and testing, the system is expected to incorporate several advanced capabilities.

155mm/52 Calibre Gun

The platform will use a modern 155mm/52 calibre artillery gun, which has become the international standard for long-range field artillery.

High Mobility

Mounted on a military-grade multi-axle truck, the system will be capable of travelling rapidly across highways, deserts, plains, and mountainous terrain.

Shoot And Scoot Capability

After firing multiple rounds, the vehicle can quickly move to another position before enemy surveillance or counter-battery systems detect its location.

Digital Fire Control

Modern navigation, ballistic computers, GPS integration, and automated targeting systems are expected to improve firing accuracy while reducing response times.

Faster Deployment

Unlike conventional towed artillery, the Mounted Gun System can be operational within a few minutes after reaching the battlefield.

Compatibility

The system is expected to remain compatible with the Indian Army’s existing family of 155mm ammunition, simplifying logistics and maintenance.

Why Does The Indian Army Need Mounted Gun Systems?

India faces unique security challenges across multiple terrains, including the Himalayan border, high-altitude regions, deserts, and long international frontiers.

These operational environments demand artillery systems that can:

Relocate rapidly.
Deliver accurate long-range fire.
Support mechanised formations.
Operate efficiently in difficult terrain.
Survive modern surveillance and drone-based reconnaissance.

Mounted Gun Systems fulfil these operational requirements more effectively than traditional towed artillery.

As the Indian Army continues implementing its long-term artillery modernisation programme, such systems are expected to become increasingly important for future combat operations.

Strengthening India’s Defence Manufacturing Ecosystem

The project is not only about acquiring a new weapon system. It also represents a major investment in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

Successful development of the Mounted Gun System could generate several long-term benefits:

Increased participation of Indian private companies.
Expansion of advanced manufacturing technologies.
Creation of high-skilled employment opportunities.
Reduced dependence on imported artillery systems.
Growth in defence exports.
Strengthening India’s position as a global defence manufacturing hub.
An artistic representation of DRDO’s proposed 155mm Mounted Gun System, highlighting India’s efforts to develop an indigenous next-generation mobile artillery platform under the Make in India initiative.

This initiative also complements several indigenous defence programmes currently underway across the aerospace, missile, naval, and land systems sectors.

Global Competition

Several countries already operate highly capable mounted artillery systems, including:

France’s CAESAR
Israel’s ATMOS
Sweden’s Archer
Czech Republic’s DITA
China’s PCL series

India’s indigenous Mounted Gun System aims to deliver comparable operational capability while addressing the specific requirements of the Indian Army and reducing foreign procurement costs.

Future Roadmap

Following the industry partner selection process, the programme is expected to progress through multiple stages:

Design finalisation
Prototype development
System integration
Mobility and firing trials
User evaluation by the Indian Army
Production approval
Large-scale induction

Each phase will be critical to ensuring the system meets India’s operational and reliability standards.

Strategic Importance

Modern warfare increasingly depends on mobility, precision, and rapid response. Mounted artillery systems provide commanders with greater flexibility while improving battlefield survivability.

For India, an indigenous Mounted Gun System would represent more than a technological achievement. It would strengthen national defence preparedness, support domestic industry, encourage innovation, and reinforce the country’s strategic objective of achieving self-reliance in advanced military technologies.

As India’s defence ecosystem continues to evolve, projects like the 155mm Mounted Gun System demonstrate the growing maturity of the nation’s research, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities.

Conclusion

DRDO’s decision to invite industry partners for the development of an indigenous 155mm Mounted Gun System marks another important milestone in India’s defence modernisation journey.

By combining government research with private-sector manufacturing expertise, India is building the foundation for a next-generation artillery platform capable of meeting future battlefield requirements. Beyond enhancing the Indian Army’s firepower, the project is expected to strengthen the country’s defence industry, reduce import dependence, and create new opportunities for indigenous innovation and exports.

If successfully developed and inducted, the Mounted Gun System could become one of the flagship examples of India’s growing capability to design and manufacture world-class military equipment.

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