Army Day 2025: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi Puts Thrust on Artillery Modernisation, Impending FRCV Takes Off

The Army Chief made a concerted announcement for the range of military equipment, especially focusing on its artillery modernisation plan and capability like the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and K9 Vajra self-propelled artillery systems. Crucially, the Army also finally moves ahead with its impending FRCV programme.

- MANISH KUMAR JHA

ARMY CHIEF GENERAL UPENDRA Dwivedi held an annual press conference on the eve of the 2025 Army Day at New Delhi's Manekshaw Center on Army Day 2025.

The Army Chief made a concerted announcement for the range of military equipment, especially focusing its artillery modernisation plan and capability on indigenous platforms like the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and K9 Vajra self-propelled artillery systems and Pinaka rocket system.

Army's Modernisation Roadmap and Acquisitions

General Dwivedi also laid out his plans for the army's combat capabilities by restructuring and employing advanced weaponry. He mentioned several high-value acquisition projects. To begin with, a contract for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), valued at ₹8,000 crore, is expected to be finalised before the end of the current financial year. The ATAGS is the best-in-class 155mm howitzer developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with private industries.

Further to boost infantry firepower, the army plans to procure range-enhancing ammunition worth ₹10,500 crore for the indigenous Pinaka rocket system, including *6,000 crore for high-explosive pre-fragmented ammunition and ₹4,500 crore for area-denial munitions.

Here, COAS also outlined the efforts to increase the Pinaka's range up to 90 km shortly.

"If the extended-range ammunition meets our requirements, we may not need other long-range systems. Pinaka could become our primary focus," General Dwivedi said.

On the Zorawar Light Tank and modernisation, the Army Chief confirmed that the army is set to acquire 354 Zorawar light tanks. The light tank project which is valued at 17,000 crore is now geared towards the final trials after the modification based on the feedback from the army.