Indian Army to Effectively Upgrade its Artillery Strength with New Howitzers

BENGALURU: Aiming to safeguard the country from cross-border attacks, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) finalized the formal procedures required for acquiring 145 M777 155 mm Howitzers from the US. Reports suggest that a deal worth 4500 crores was made for the new range of artillery guns. Furthermore, the deal states that 120 of the total 145 guns will be effectively assembled in India.

The howitzers are manufactured by the BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems division. Earlier this year, the BAE announced that it will work with India’s Mahindra Group to build a plant for the assembling of Howitzer artillery guns. The Indian Army will deploy the ultra light howitzers on the mountain divisions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, and Leh, as they lie opposite to China and Pakistan.

When confronted by intense firing from across the border, the M777 Howitzers will be able to fire up to five rounds in a minute. Additionally, as they are built with titanium and weigh less than 4,100 kg, transportation becomes easy. Considering the firing range, the howitzers can reach a distance of about 30 km with assisted rounds and 24.7 km with unassisted rounds.

Earlier, in the 1980’s India procured 410 Bofors (artillery gun) from Sweden. However, this Bofors deal was considered as a major political scam carried out by the politicians of the Indian National Congress; also involving the Congress Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Although the Indian Army already owns Bofors, procuring the Ultra Light Howitzers will further elevate its overall strength.

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