![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
India’s defence manufacturer Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) on Monday unveiled a new series of truck-mounted 155mm artillery systems at the Eurosatory 2026 defence exhibition, positioning the platform as a lightweight, highly mobile alternative to heavier self-propelled guns for modern battlefields.
The Pune-based company, a wholly owned defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge, introduced the Mounted Artillery Gun (MArG) series, comprising three variants built on a common 4×4 platform and designed to meet the differing operational requirements of armed forces worldwide.
The newly launched series includes the MArG 39, featuring a 39-calibre gun optimised for tactical mobility; the MArG 45, intended to balance range and firepower; and the MArG 52, an extended-range configuration aimed at delivering long-range precision strikes.
The launch marks KSSL’s latest push into the global artillery market at a time when armed forces are increasingly seeking systems that combine mobility, firepower and lower logistical demands. Lessons from recent conflicts have reinforced the importance of “shoot-and-scoot” capabilities that enable artillery units to fire and relocate rapidly before enemy counter-battery systems can respond.
According to the company, the MArG series has been developed around a common 4×4 chassis, enabling standardisation in training, maintenance and logistics while allowing customers to choose gun configurations suited to their terrain and mission requirements.
Unlike conventional self-propelled artillery mounted on tracked vehicles or larger 6×6 and 8×8 platforms, the new systems aim to reduce weight and logistical footprints without compromising firepower.
The artillery systems are capable of firing NATO-standard 155mm ammunition, including precision-guided munitions. They are designed to undertake a range of missions, including counter-battery operations, interdiction, and close fire support. They are also integrated with a modern fire-control system that meets network-centric warfare requirements and supports digitised artillery coordination.
“The MArG series brings together six decades of precision engineering and metallurgical expertise into a product designed for armed forces across the world,” said Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd.
He said the new platform sought to establish “a new global benchmark” by combining firepower with mobility, while also enabling partner nations to build indigenous capabilities through local production.
KSSL Chief Executive Officer Neelesh Tungar said the systems were designed for operational environments where heavier artillery platforms face limitations.
“The MArG series delivers a decisive battlefield advantage by enabling forces to shoot, scoot and reposition before counter-battery fire can respond,” Tungar said. “It is equally capable of operating in mountainous regions, urban areas and infrastructure-constrained terrain where larger systems cannot easily deploy.”
The company said the MArG 39, the variant displayed at Eurosatory, has been developed with expeditionary formations and rapid-reaction forces in mind.
Weighing 22 tonnes, the system offers a gradient negotiation capability of 25 degrees and can carry 18 rounds of onboard ammunition with Zone 5 charges. KSSL said its relatively lower weight also provides strategic mobility advantages, including air transportability depending on mission configuration.
The unveiling at Eurosatory underscores the growing ambitions of Indian defence manufacturers to expand their footprint in overseas markets. India’s private defence sector has increasingly targeted exports as New Delhi pushes domestic industry to emerge as a significant player in the global arms supply chain.
With the MArG series, KSSL is seeking to tap into demand for artillery systems that can be rapidly deployed across varied operational theatres, from mountains and deserts to urban environments, while offering lower ownership costs and simplified logistics compared to traditional self-propelled gun systems.
Team BharatShakti
