Armenia procuring 155 mm Trajan howitzers

The Trajan 155 mm gun. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

Armenia has started the process of procuring another batch of 155 mm artillery systems, this time an unknown number of French-Indian-produced Trajan towed howitzers.

The Trajan is a 155 mm/L52 howitzer designed by Nexter Systems France (now part of KNDS France). It integrates a modified carriage from the TR-F1 field howitzer with the ordnance system of the French CAESAR (Camion Equipé d'un Système d'Artillerie, or truck-mounted artillery system) self-propelled howitzer (SPH).

Capable of firing all standard 155 mm artillery shells, the Trajan achieves a firing range of approximately 30 km with standard ammunition. When firing extended-range full-bore – base bleed (ERFB-BB) projectiles, it can reach up to 42 km, and with rocket-assisted velocity-enhanced long-range artillery projectile (VLAP) shells, its range extends to 55 km.

For direct fire, the howitzer has an effective range of 2 km. In addition, the Trajan supports advanced smart ammunition, including Bonus-guided and SPACIDO (Système à Précision Améliorée par Cinémomètre Doppler) course-correcting fuze shells.

Armenian artillery procurement demonstrates a strategic decision to move away from Soviet Union guns and ammunition, with the country already procuring several types of 155 mm systems.

Sources in India's armed forces and defence industry confirmed the contract for Trajan howitzers, highlighting the affordability of the system because of a manufacturing process localised in India.

In April 2023 the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the export to Armenia of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), developed jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Forge (Kalyani Group) and Tata Power SED (Strategic Engineering Division). The number of units ordered was not confirmed, but Janes