Armenia Conducts Live-Fire Exercise With Indo-French TRAJAN 155 mm Howitzers Manufactured in India

Armenia has carried out live-fire training with its TRAJAN 155 mm/52-calibre towed howitzers, marking another step in the operational integration of the artillery system with Armenian forces. The exercise indicates that the guns have moved beyond procurement and delivery into active crew training and field deployment.

The TRAJAN is a French-designed artillery system developed by Nexter, now part of KNDS France, with a substantial Indian manufacturing role through Larsen & Toubro. Armenia’s induction of the system adds another modern 155 mm platform to an artillery inventory that already includes Indian-origin systems such as ATAGS and MArG 155.

TRAJAN Moves Into Active Armenian Service

The latest live-fire activity is important because the induction of a new artillery system involves more than simply receiving the guns. Crews must learn deployment procedures, ammunition handling, fire-control routines, maintenance, communications and rapid repositioning before the weapon can be effectively integrated into regular operations.

The exercise therefore represents a practical stage in Armenia’s artillery modernisation programme. It also shows that the TRAJAN has progressed from procurement announcements and static appearances to actual field use.

155 mm/52-Calibre Gun Provides Long-Range Firepower

TRAJAN uses a NATO-standard 155 mm/52-calibre gun and can fire a broad range of compatible ammunition.

With conventional ammunition, the system can engage targets at standard artillery ranges. Extended Range Full Bore Base Bleed ammunition can increase reach to around 42 kilometres, while Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile ammunition can extend maximum range to roughly 55 kilometres.

This gives Armenian artillery units access to substantially greater reach than many older Soviet-origin 122 mm and 152 mm systems.

TRAJAN Draws on Proven French Artillery Technology

The system incorporates technology derived from established French artillery programmes.

TRAJAN combines a modified carriage based on the TR-F1 field howitzer with a 52-calibre ordnance system associated with the CAESAR artillery family. This gives the weapon access to a mature gun architecture while retaining the simpler logistics and lower acquisition costs of a towed artillery system.

The result is a platform designed for users that want modern long-range artillery without moving entirely to truck-mounted self-propelled guns.

Auxiliary Power Unit Improves Tactical Mobility

Although TRAJAN is a towed gun, it includes an Auxiliary Power Unit that provides limited independent mobility.

This allows the howitzer to move short distances without requiring the towing vehicle for every repositioning task. Such capability can assist during emplacement, local movement and withdrawal from firing positions.

For a towed artillery system, this provides greater tactical flexibility and can reduce the time and effort required for some manoeuvres around the firing area.

Mechanised Loading Reduces Crew Workload

TRAJAN also incorporates loading assistance intended to reduce physical workload on the gun crew.

Modern 155 mm projectiles and propellant charges are heavy, and sustained artillery fire can quickly exhaust personnel if the entire loading cycle is handled manually. Mechanised assistance can therefore improve both firing consistency and crew endurance.

The system is reported to achieve a rate of fire of up to six rounds per minute under suitable conditions.

India Plays a Major Manufacturing Role

India has an important industrial role in the TRAJAN programme through Larsen & Toubro.

The partnership with Nexter, now KNDS France, established an Indian manufacturing base for the system and helped position TRAJAN as an export-oriented artillery solution combining French technology with Indian production.

This model gives the programme a broader significance for India’s defence industry. It shows how Indian manufacturers can participate in international defence supply chains not only through wholly indigenous systems, but also through licensed production and industrial partnerships.

Armenia Expands Its 155 mm Artillery Fleet

TRAJAN is only one part of Armenia’s broader move towards modern 155 mm artillery.

Armenian forces have also received Indian-origin ATAGS and MArG 155 systems. Together, these platforms give Armenia a more diverse set of modern artillery options covering both towed and self-propelled roles.

The growing use of 155 mm systems also represents a gradual move away from older Soviet-era calibres and towards a wider NATO-standard ammunition ecosystem.

Standardisation Around 155 mm Offers Logistical Benefits

Greater use of a common calibre can simplify ammunition planning, procurement and long-term force development.

Armenia has historically operated several artillery calibres inherited from Soviet inventories. Expanding the number of 155 mm systems can reduce some of that fragmentation over time.

Calibre standardisation does not eliminate all logistical differences, because individual guns can still use different fire-control systems, charges, maintenance procedures and support equipment. Even so, moving towards 155 mm gives Armenia access to a broader range of international ammunition and future precision-guided options.

Smart Ammunition Expands Future Capability

TRAJAN is designed to use more than conventional high-explosive rounds.

Its 155 mm architecture is compatible with advanced ammunition types intended for extended-range and specialised target engagement. This creates scope for future integration of precision and sensor-fused projectiles depending on Armenia’s procurement choices.

The exact composition of Armenia’s ammunition package has not been publicly detailed, so the currently confirmed capability should be treated separately from the full technical potential of the gun.

Armenia Continues Diversifying Defence Procurement

Armenia has steadily broadened its defence procurement partnerships in recent years.

India has emerged as an important source of artillery, rocket systems, radars and other defence equipment, while France has also become a significant defence partner.

TRAJAN sits directly at the intersection of these relationships because it combines French-origin technology with Indian industrial production.

TRAJAN Strengthens India’s Defence Export Manufacturing Profile

For India, the Armenian deployment is important beyond the sale of a single artillery system.

TRAJAN demonstrates how Indian manufacturing can support international defence programmes built around foreign-origin designs. This expands India’s defence export role from finished indigenous equipment into broader industrial participation.

Larsen & Toubro already has experience in artillery, armoured systems, naval platforms and complex defence manufacturing. Its role in TRAJAN adds another example of Indian industry becoming more deeply connected with global defence production networks.

Live-Fire Training Marks the Next Stage of Induction

The most important aspect of the latest update is the appearance of TRAJAN in live-fire training with Armenian forces.

This confirms continued movement from acquisition into practical field integration. No official announcement linked to the exercise has confirmed a fresh TRAJAN order or disclosed the total number of guns in service.

The current development should therefore be viewed as an operational induction milestone rather than a new procurement announcement.

Armenia’s live-fire use of TRAJAN adds another visible element to its ongoing artillery modernisation while also highlighting the growing role of Indian manufacturing in international defence programmes. The system combines French artillery technology, Indian industrial production and Armenian operational use, making it a notable example of cross-border defence cooperation built around modern 155 mm firepower.

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References

Jane’s — Armenia Procuring 155 mm TRAJAN Howitzers.
https://www.janes.com/defence-intelligence-insights/defence-news/weapons/armenia-procuring-155-mm-trajan-howitzers

Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia — Official Defence Ministry News and Training Updates.
https://www.mil.am/en/

ARMENPRESS — Armenian Defence and Artillery Coverage.
https://armenpress.am/en/

KNDS France — TRAJAN Artillery Systems and Land Weapons Portfolio.
https://www.knds.com/

Larsen & Toubro Defence — Defence Manufacturing and Artillery Systems.
https://www.larsentoubro.com/corporate/products-and-services/defence/

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