Representatives from Kalyani Group and AM General at Eurosatory defence expo 2026 in Paris (Photo: Bharat Forge)
New Delhi/Paris: Two defence companies, India’s Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) and the American vehicle specialist AM General, signed a strategic partnership at the Eurosatory defence exposition in Paris on June 18 to jointly market and export India’s indigenously developed mounted artillery gun platform, the MArG, to militaries around the world.
What is the MArG system?
The MArG – short for Mounted Artillery Gun – is KSSL’s flagship land systems product. It carries a 52-calibre 155mm cannon capable of firing a standard high-explosive projectile to a range exceeding 40 kilometres, with over 20 projectiles and propellant charges held on board.
The system is built around KSSL’s patented Soft Recoil Technology (SRT), which absorbs significantly more recoil force than conventional artillery mechanisms. This allows for a lighter overall vehicle and turret, reducing structural stress on the weapon system over its service life.
The platform is designed for rapid strategic deployment and cross-terrain tactical mobility, achieved through a purpose-built powerpack and suspension system.
An automated load-assist mechanism and an advanced all-weather fire control suite give the MArG both indirect and direct fire capability. The combination of range, mobility, and lighter weight places it in a distinct category compared with heavier traditional self-propelled howitzers.
The MArG’s design philosophy reflects a broader shift in artillery doctrine, driven by lessons from recent conflicts, notably in Ukraine, where lighter, more mobile systems have demonstrated survivability advantages over heavier, static platforms.
Mounted gun systems that can “shoot and scoot” rapidly are increasingly valued by armies seeking to reduce vulnerability to counter-battery fire.
The US Army bid
A significant dimension of the partnership is a joint proposal submitted to the US Army’s Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) programme, a US government initiative to acquire a lightweight, vehicle-mounted 155mm artillery capability.
Under the proposal, AM General would lead delivery of an MTC solution based on the MArG architecture, with delivery targeted for 2027 if the proposal is selected. The MTC programme reflects the US Army’s own pivot towards more mobile, lighter artillery, and competition for the contract is expected to be intense.
The bid is notable for the Indian defence industry because it would, if successful, mark the first time an India-origin artillery platform has been formally offered to the US military under a structured programme. While Indian-made ammunition and components have entered Western supply chains, a platform-level contract of this nature would be a milestone for India’s defence exports.
Global export ambitions
Beyond the US, the two companies intend to position the platform for sale to third-party militaries, particularly those among America’s allies and partner nations seeking a modern 155mm fires capability without the logistical burden of heavier self-propelled systems.
What the companies said
Amit Kalyani described the deal as an expression of international confidence in KSSL’s artillery programme. “Our partnership with AM General is underscored by trust in our advanced artillery capabilities, and confidence in our commitment to delivering leading-edge and combat-proven solutions that meet modern warfare requirements,” he said.
John Chadbourne, the president and chief executive of AM General, pointed to the SRT as a key differentiator. “By integrating the patented soft recoil technology to their state-of-the-art and mature platforms, we will be delivering truly groundbreaking capabilities that can provide an advantage on the evolving battlefield,” Chadbourne said.
Context: India’s artillery modernization
India itself has been modernizing its artillery at pace, following decades of slow progress that left the Indian Army critically short of modern guns. The government approved the induction of the K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer, produced by L&T under licence from Hanwha of South Korea, and signed a contract for the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and produced by Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems.
