New Delhi, Jan. 28: India is understood to be examining the possibility of buying 145 ultra light-weight howitzer 155 mm artillery guns for the Indian Army from the United States under the foreign military sales (government-to-government) route.
The Indian government was planning to conduct trials last year of the ultra-light howitzer that involved Singapore Technologies Kinetics. But procurements from this company (along with a few others) was put on hold last year following a probe into the Ordnance Factory Board scam. ST Kinetics had recently stated nevertheless that it is awaiting the date for field trials for its ultra-light howitzer artillery gun.
The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency is now understood to have informed the US Congress recently of a possible sale of 145 M777 155mm light-weight howitzers to India. In a statement, BAE Systems, manufacturer of the artillery guns, said: “BAE Systems welcomes the news of the US congressional notification of a potential FMS purchase of the M777 ultra light-weight howitzer by the Government of India. The M777 is, by some considerable margin, the lightest 155mm howitzer in the world.”
Any such sale will further strengthen defence ties between the two countries. India has not made any artillery gun acquisitions for the past two decades.
India had recently expressed interest in acquiring 10 C-17 Globemaster III advanced airlifter aircraft for the Indian Air Force from Boeing.
Age Correspondent
