Indian private sector defence major Kalyani Group has fielded the world’s smallest 155 x 52 mm Mounted Gun System (MGS). The MArG 155 x 52 mm mounted on a Kalyani 4x4 truck weighs 24 tons and uses an aluminium gun carriage and an autoloader. It can fire five rounds a minute and has shoot-and-scoot capability. 
The howitzer was showcased exclusively to Chakra News. The MArG is a steady progression of Kalyani’s MGS capabilities. It began with the 155/39 mm MGS, followed by the MArG 155x 45 mm calibre. The MArG 52  is a breakthrough as 155 x 52 mm howitzers are usually mounted only on 6x6 or 8x8 trucks.

The MArG 155 x 39 mm was the first Indian MGS to be exported, with 72 guns exported to Armenia. Bharat Forge is also supplying 184 units of the 155 x 52 mm ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) to the Indian Army. The ATAGS, now known as the “Amogh”, achieved a range of 48 km. It has been developed in collaboration with the DRDO.

Bharat Forge’s MGS journey began with the MArG 155x39 mm MGS developed on the recommendation of then Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat. The platform was first displayed at the DefExpo 2020. The truck-mounted MArG – Steel is a 7.8 tonne, 155 x 39 mm ultralight howitzer mounted on a 4x4 BEML Tatra chassis, an in-service army vehicle. The system has an overall weight of 18 tons and is suited for Ladakh and Arunachal`s terrain, where the deployment of heavy artillery can be logistically difficult.  

The MArG can be airlifted by IL-76 and C-17. The IL-76 can airlift one MArG MGS, and two MArG MGS can be airlifted by the C-17.

As the Russia-Ukraine war has shown, towed artillery is vulnerable in an era of drone-infested battlefields. It takes time to pack and move towed guns. They need a separate gun tractor, usually a multi-wheeled truck with a crew. The future of artillery lies in truck-mounted guns, which have the ability to fire and move with a reduced manpower complement. 

Watch the full episode:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zpA-yUSEkI

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.