BAE Systems receives $50 million to restart M777 production
BAE Systems has said it will restart M777 production. (Photo: US Marine Corps)
The M777 155mm lightweight howitzer has seen service across five continents and has been heavily used in Ukraine where weapons were donated by Australia, Canada and the US.
BAE Systems will begin working with subcontractors under a US$50 million contract with the US Army as part of an effort to restart production of M777 155mm lightweight howitzer. The first major structures will be expected to be delivered in 2025.
Under the Undefinitised Contract Action (UCA) BAE Systems will begin delivering on the programme in anticipation of final details on a full contract’s value and unit numbers.
The move, which will see most work conducted in the UK, comes in the light of massive demand for howitzers in Ukraine for its war against Russia. Australia, Canada and the US have all delivered the weapon type to Ukraine and Germany’s Rheinmetall has supplied 10-of-thousands of 155mm artillery shells.
The company described the move as creating ‘the optimum conditions for a restart of M777…and presents an opportunity to new and existing users to join a new M777 production initiative and take advantage of the benefits from a hot production line and economies of scale’.
John Borton, vice-president and general manager of BAE Systems Weapons Systems UK, said the contract to restart production of major structures for the US Army has come at a critical time.
‘We understand that they are performing well [in Ukraine] and will remain at the forefront of artillery technology well into the future through the use of technical insertions, long-range precision guided munition developments and flexible mobility options,’ Borton remarked.
There are understood to be more than 1,250 M777s in service around the world with ground forces in the countries previously mentioned, as well as throughout the Americas and in India.
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Army chooses Textron Systems and Griffon Aerospace in final showdown for FTUAS]()
US Army chooses Textron Systems and Griffon Aerospace in final showdown for FTUAS
The US Army plans to procure a Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) to replace the Textron Systems RQ-7Bv2 Shadow tactical UAV currently in service with the US Army's Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs). The FTUAS is being developed under the wider Future UAS (FUAS) programme.
-
![Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal]()
Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal
Air 6500 Phase 1, worth AU$500 million (US$326 million), will result in a sovereign system that can provide greater situational awareness and help to defend against hostile aircraft and missiles. It will sit at the core of Australia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence programme.
-
![Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million]()
Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million
The systems have been purchased under a special fund which has already been tapped into for the purchase of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters worth up to €8 billion (US$8.7 billion) and thousands of Rheinmetall Caracal airmobile special operations vehicles worth €1.9 billion.
-
![Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans]()
Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans
The Russia–Ukraine war has continued to be the place the world’s militaries have been watching for lessons on both the EW and uncrewed front. Its conventional war aspect, however, has also been catching the attention of leaders.
-
![The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions]()
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.
