New Delhi, Feb 13 (Inditop.com) Two of the world’s arguably most powerful howitzers will dominate the BAE Systems’ presence at DefExpo 2010 here Feb 15-18.
The BAE Systems FH77 B05 towed howitzer, and M777 ultralight howitzer will both be part of BAE Systems’ biggest ever presence at DefExpo.
BAE Systems will be co-located with Defence Land Systems India, the Mahindra and BAE Systems joint venture company which will soon be up and running.
Andrew Gallagher, president BAE Systems India, said: “BAE Systems’ commitment to the development of a long-term domestic business in India, with a full range of skills and capabilities, is unmatched.
“We firmly support the Indian government’s aim of procuring 70 percent of defence equipment domestically and see the establishment of Defence Land Systems India as a major contribution towards this objective,” he added.
The BAE Systems FH77 B05 is bidding for the Indian Army requirement for towed 52 calibre 155mm howitzers. Trials with the Indian Army are due to start after DefExpo.
An upgraded howitzer, the FH77 B05, has all-round greater performance, including increased range over the 39 calibre FH77 B02 that is in service with the Indian Army and which performed admirably during the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan.
“It is intended that Defence Land Systems India would have a significant and increasing role in the production of FH77 B05 toward the intended goal of Defence Land Systems India becoming an artillery centre of excellence in India,” a company statement said.
The M777 ultralight howitzer is now in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process for a possible purchase between the US and Indian governments.
“The M777 is, by some considerable margin, the lightest 155mm howitzer in the world, and the only one proven in battle. BAE Systems stands ready to support both governments in a possible FMS purchase,” the statement added.
