The administration of Gun Carriage Factory (GCF), Jabalpur, is eagerly waiting for the positive nod of higher authorities for production of towed artillery gun system ‘ATHOS 155 mm/52 calibre’. The Ordanance Factory Board (OFB) had obtained order from the Ministry of Defence for production of 1,180 Autonomous Towed Howitzer Ordnance System (ATHOS) under the transfer of technology (ToT) agreement with Israel. According to a senior officer of Gun Carriage Factory, on the condition of anonymity, informed that the indigenous production of Autonomous Towed Howitzer Ordnance System (ATHOS) may be awarded to the GCF but any official confirmation is yet to be received in this regard.

 

The factory has already proved its mettle with indigenous production of Dhanush 155 mm/45 calibre and Sharang 155 mm/45 calibre gun systems and efficient to develop and produce new guns. Sources in the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) informed that with an aim to strengthen the artillery power of the armed forces, Ministry of Defence will procure 1,580 ATHOS guns from Israel. The country will receive 400 ready to use gun systems and rest 1,580 will be indigenously produced through SKD and CKD under ToT with Israel. Gun Carriage Factory in collaboration with other sister factories will indigenously produce ATHOS.

 

Along with improving the artillery strength of the Indian Army, ATHOS is economically viable for the defence budget. Indigenous production of imported gun system will make it more economical and introduce new defence technology in the country. GCF Jabalpur already made preliminary preparations and inspection of OFB team was held an year back and factory administration is eyeing the finalization of ToT to start production of another imported gun by Ordnance Factory Board, source added.