Posted on 05/12/2012 12:33:25 PM PDT by James C. Bennett
NEW DELHI -(MarketWatch)- India's defense ministry has approved a proposal to buy 145 ultra-light howitzers from U.S.-based BAE Systems Inc. for about 30 billion rupees ($560 million), a senior defense ministry official said Saturday, as the South Asian country continues its efforts to modernize its armed forces.
The proposal to buy the M777 artillery guns was cleared Friday by the Defense Acquisitions Council, chaired by defense minister A. K. Antony, the official, who didn't wish to be named, told Dow Jones Newswires by phone. He said the signing of a final contract could take some more months after completion of cost negotiations.
"This will be a direct government-to-government deal between India and the U.S. under the U.S. government's foreign military sales route," said a person familiar with the matter.
The foreign military sales route is required for most defense exports from the U.S.
India, which shares its borders with China and Pakistan, is buying fighter jets, helicopters and warships for its defense forces. The country is close to sealing an estimated $12 billion deal with France's Dassault Aviation SA to acquire 126 fighter jets to replace its ageing fleet of MiG-21 jets, some of which were bought in the 1960s.
India plans to spend about INR1.93 trillion on defense in the fiscal year starting April 1--an increase of 13% from the current year--and earmarked INR795.79 billion to buy new weapons.
(Excerpt) Read more at marketwatch.com ...
145 millimeter? I think they meant 155mm — that’s only been a heavy artillery standard bore diameter for the last 100 years.
Airmobile field operations on either the Pakistani or Chinese borders. One of the big selling points of the M777 is its light weight. If you're going to sling-load this thing under a helicopter that's already straining to move in the thin air of the Himalayas or the Hindu Kush, then every pound saved counts.
It's largely made of titanium. Very high-strength, lightweight material.
A Light Howitzer? It tastes great and is less filling?
A Light Howitzer? Does it shoot those cfl lightbulbs? That could be handy if you have a high ceiling.
WORTH EVERY (FIAT, AIR-BACKED) PENNY....
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