What Artillery Does India Have? K9 Vajra, Pinaka and ATAGS

The Indian Army has one of the largest artillery forces in the world, and after decades of delay it is now modernising it quickly. Its plan, under the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, is to standardise on 155mm guns and long-range rocket launchers. The main new systems are the K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer, the ATAGS towed gun, the Dhanush and the American M777, together with the home-grown Pinaka rocket launcher, which has also become a successful export.

This guide covers India’s main artillery systems and what is on order.

What artillery does India have?

India’s artillery was famously neglected after the Bofors scandal of the 1980s, which froze gun purchases for almost three decades. Since about 2017 the army has been catching up, with most new guns made in India by private firms such as Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge and Tata, and by state-owned Advanced Weapons and Equipment India.

K9 Vajra

The K9 Vajra-T is an Indian version of South Korea’s K9 Thunder, built by Larsen & Toubro in Gujarat with Hanwha Aerospace. India ordered 100 in 2017 and, after deploying some to Ladakh following the 2020 crisis with China, 100 more in December 2024. It is a tracked 155mm gun with a range of about 40 kilometres. Its maker is profiled in our article on L&T Defence, and its Korean original is widely compared with Western guns.

ATAGS, Dhanush and M777

The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, ATAGS, was developed by DRDO with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems, and set a world record for range in its class during trials. In March 2025 India ordered 307 of them, along with tow vehicles, worth about 70 billion rupees. The Dhanush, built by the state-owned gun factories, is an Indian development of the Swedish Bofors gun of the 1980s. The 145 American M777 howitzers, made of titanium and light enough to be carried under a Chinook, are deployed in the mountains facing China. Bharat Forge is profiled in our article on Bharat Forge Defence.

Pinaka: India’s rocket artillery

The Pinaka, a 214mm multiple rocket launcher designed by DRDO and built by Tata, L&T and Solar Industries, is India’s most successful artillery system. Its rockets have been extended from about 40 kilometres to 75-90 kilometres in guided versions, and longer-range versions are in development. The army has been expanding its Pinaka regiments, and Armenia bought it in 2022, making it one of India’s first major artillery exports.

How does India compare?

China’s long-range rocket launchers, such as the PHL-16, can reach about 500 kilometres, far beyond Pinaka, as described in our guide to Chinese artillery. India is closing part of the gap with the Pralay missile and longer-range Pinaka rockets. Western artillery is compared in our guide to American artillery.

Frequently asked questions

What artillery does India have?

India’s main artillery systems are the K9 Vajra, the ATAGS, the Dhanush, the M777 and the Pinaka rocket launcher, along with older Bofors and Soviet-era guns.

What is the K9 Vajra?

A tracked 155mm self-propelled howitzer built in India by L&T, based on South Korea’s K9 Thunder. India has ordered 200.

What is the ATAGS?

A 155mm towed howitzer developed by DRDO with Bharat Forge and Tata. India ordered 307 in March 2025.

What is the Pinaka?

An Indian 214mm multiple rocket launcher with a range of up to about 90 kilometres in guided versions, also exported to Armenia.

Does India use the M777?

Yes. India bought 145 American M777 lightweight howitzers, mainly for mountain warfare.

Why was Indian artillery neglected?

The Bofors bribery scandal of the 1980s froze artillery purchases for almost three decades.