Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL), the wholly-owned defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge Ltd, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with US-based military vehicle manufacturer AM General at the ongoing biennial Eurosatory defence exposition in Paris. According to reports from CNBC TV18 and Business Standard, the partnership is aimed at offering mounted artillery gun platforms for military customers globally, focusing on 155mm systems designed for mobility and deployment across different terrains and weather conditions that meet modern warfare requirements. Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd, the parent company of KSSL, stated that "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."
As part of the collaboration, AM General has submitted a proposal to participate in the US Army's Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) programme. The proposal includes the development and delivery of a 155mm MTC solution based on KSSL's Mounted Artillery Gun (MArG) platform, with potential delivery targeted for 2027, subject to selection, as reported by CNBC TV18 and Business Standard. John Chadbourne, AM General President and CEO, stated that "Working with KSSL signifies our mutual commitment to support our allies and, ultimately, the Warfighter." He added that "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."
According to the companies, the MArG platform features a 52-calibre 155mm cannon, a recoil mitigation system, automated load-assist mechanism and an all-weather fire control suite. The system is designed to fire standard high-explosive projectiles at ranges exceeding 40 kilometres and can carry more than 20 projectiles and propellant charges onboard. The MARG system delivers class-leading strategic transportability and tactical mobility through the combination of a purpose-built powerpack and suspension and a lighter gross vehicle weight rating. The partnership combines AM General's patented Soft Recoil Technology (SRT) recoil mitigation system with KSSL's advanced artillery capabilities, where the SRT system absorbs significantly more recoil force than traditional artillery systems, allowing for a lighter vehicle, lighter turret, and reduced shock on the entire weapons system over its life. The platform incorporates advanced features including enhanced mobility, reduced recoil stress, and a firing range exceeding 40 km.
The partnership addresses the requirements of modern defence forces worldwide in an evolving combat scenario, equipping them with compact, robust, lightweight, rugged, mobile, all-weather, all-terrain next-generation mounted artillery gun platforms with a distinct competitive edge. As reported by KSSL and Business Standard, there are numerous opportunities globally and the partnership is intended to support broader allied distribution, positioning the platform as a scalable, exportable artillery solution for partner nations seeking modern, mobile and survivable 155mm fires capability. The collaboration aims to provide truly groundbreaking capabilities that can provide an advantage on the evolving battlefield, with the MArG's advanced all-weather fire control suite providing both indirect and direct fire capabilities. At KSSL, the company takes pride in building designed and made in India, globally benchmarked defence platforms, driven by the purpose of delivering technologically advanced, strategic defence capabilities for India, and the world.
Shares of Bharat Forge Limited closed 0.48% higher at ₹2,028.45 on the BSE following the partnership announcement, as reported by Business Standard. The stock movement reflects positive market reaction to the strategic collaboration and broader market conditions affecting defence sector stocks. The company reported strong financial performance with a consolidated net profit of ₹233.45 crore in Q4 FY26, down 17.4% from ₹282.62 crore in Q4 FY25, while revenue from operations jumped 17.53% YoY to ₹4,528.04 crore in Q4 March 2026. Bharat Forge is a technology-driven global leader in providing high-performance, innovative safety-critical components and solutions across automotive, power, oil and gas, construction & mining, rail, marine, defence and aerospace sectors with a global manufacturing footprint across five countries.
