Indian Army to test locally made 'shoot and scoot' gun, relocating in 85 seconds

The Indian Army is set to commence extensive trials of a domestically developed mounted gun system (MGS) that boasts a rapid "shoot and scoot" capability, allowing it to fire and relocate within a mere 85 seconds. This crucial feature enables the 30-tonne weapon to swiftly evade counter-battery fire, a capability highlighted as vital in modern warfare by recent global conflicts. Senior Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials announced the upcoming trials on Monday.

The MGS, a 155mm/52 calibre truck-mounted howitzer, is capable of firing six rounds per minute and hitting targets over 45 km away. GRM Rao, chief of DRDO's Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) in Ahmednagar, confirmed that the army has requested the MGS for comprehensive trials across diverse terrains and weather conditions. This assessment will pit the indigenous system against global counterparts like the French Caesar and Israeli ATMOS 2000. The MGS is based on the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), which the defence ministry has already ordered to significantly enhance the army's artillery firepower.

DRDO has developed the MGS and transferred its technology to Bharat Forge Limited for production. The Indian Army has a substantial requirement for 700 to 800 such highly mobile and powerfully armed systems. While a separate competitive bidding process for 300 mounted gun systems is already underway, the upcoming evaluation of the DRDO-Bharat Forge gun is a parallel testing, distinct from that tender. Officials noted that the MGS boasts up to 85% indigenous content and offers enhanced mobility, making it a viable solution for rapidly deploying artillery and matching the pace of mechanized forces, thereby increasing lethality and survivability on the battlefield, a key lesson from the Russia-Ukraine war.