New Delhi: Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), a defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge, has announced progress in the development of its indigenous 120mm Rapid Attack Mortar System (R.A.M.S.). Mounted on a 4×4 vehicle, the system is designed to provide rapid fire support, improve soldier protection and operate across challenging terrains.
The new platform is being developed for the Indian Armed Forces and international customers, marking another step towards strengthening India’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
Indigenous 120mm Rapid Attack Mortar System: Key Features
The R.A.M.S. is a vehicle-mounted 120mm mortar system developed to provide mobile forces with faster and more flexible fire support.
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Unlike conventional towed mortar systems, which require crews to dismount and position the weapon before firing, the new system is designed to fire directly from its vehicle platform.
This allows the crew to move from travelling to a firing position within moments. After completing the firing mission, the vehicle can quickly relocate to avoid possible enemy retaliation.
The company believes this capability will reduce deployment time, limit soldiers’ exposure to enemy threats and improve operational flexibility.
Indigenous 120mm Rapid Attack Mortar System: 4×4 Vehicle Platform For All-Terrain Operations
One of the major features of the R.A.M.S. is its integration with an agile 4×4 vehicle. The platform is being engineered to maintain mobility in different geographical conditions, including high-altitude mountain regions, deserts and plains.
According to KSSL, the system is also being developed to maintain operational readiness in extreme cold, intense heat and monsoon conditions.
This capability could make the platform useful in difficult operational environments where conventional towed mortar systems may take more time and effort to deploy.
Shoot-And-Scoot Capability To Improve Battlefield Mobility
The R.A.M.S. is designed around the shoot-and-scoot concept, which focuses on firing quickly and changing positions before enemy forces can respond.
Modern battlefields increasingly face threats from drones, surveillance systems and faster targeting technologies.
In such environments, remaining at one firing position for a long time can increase the risk of detection and counterattack.
By integrating the mortar directly into a mobile vehicle, KSSL aims to reduce the time required for deployment and relocation.
The system is also designed to shorten the sensor-to-shooter cycle, helping military units respond more quickly to changing battlefield situations.
Strengthening India’s Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
The development of the R.A.M.S. is part of India’s wider efforts to strengthen its domestic defence manufacturing industry..The platform has been designed and developed in India for the Indian Armed Forces as well as international customers.
Kalyani Strategic Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited and manages the group’s defence business.
Its defence portfolio includes artillery systems, armoured and protected vehicles, small arms, ammunition, marine systems and unmanned platforms. The new mortar system adds another capability to the company’s growing range of indigenous defence solutions.
What Makes The Indigenous 120mm Rapid Attack Mortar System Important
The development of the 120mm Rapid Attack Mortar System reflects the growing importance of mobile artillery and rapid-response fire support in modern military operations.
Its vehicle-mounted configuration is intended to provide faster deployment compared with conventional towed mortar arrangements.
The ability to fire from the vehicle and relocate quickly could improve crew protection and battlefield mobility. However, the company has not disclosed detailed technical specifications such as firing range, rate of fire, ammunition capacity or a confirmed induction timeline.
The system’s development progress and future evaluation will determine its eventual operational role.
FAQs
Shoot-and-scoot is a military approach in which a weapon system fires quickly and relocates to another position. The R.A.M.S. is designed to fire directly from its vehicle and move away quickly, reducing the crew’s exposure to enemy retaliation.
Kalyani’s 120mm Rapid Attack Mortar System (R.A.M.S.) is an indigenous vehicle-mounted mortar platform developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited. It is integrated with a 4×4 vehicle to provide rapid and mobile fire support.
Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), a wholly owned defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, is developing the 120mm Rapid Attack Mortar System for the Indian Armed Forces and international customers.
