India finally approves M777 buy
India finally cleared the sale of 145 BAE Systems M777 lightweight howitzers on 25 June, capping an acquisition that started an agonising ten years ago. At the same time, it approved the production of 18 locally produced Dhanush towed howitzers.
The decision came during a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), where a US letter of acceptance (LoA) for the M777 155mm 39-calibre artillery pieces was approved.
This paves the way for the Indian Army to receive its first new artillery pieces in three decades, with memory of the 1987 Bofors scandal plaguing every acquisition effort since then.
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![Western Europe is looking to refresh its APC/IFV fleets with potential $41 billion spend]()
Western Europe is looking to refresh its APC/IFV fleets with potential $41 billion spend
As militaries across Western Europe continue to modernise their capabilities, there are some major potential opportunities in the requirement for armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.
-
![US Army orders more upgraded Bradleys as transformation threatens other programmes]()
US Army orders more upgraded Bradleys as transformation threatens other programmes
Compared to previous versions of the vehicle, the Bradley M2A4 upgrade includes an uprated suspension, a more powerful engine, an independent commander’s sight, a more capable electronic architecture and improved networking capabilities.
-
![De-Risking the Future: Manufacturing Certainty for Unmanned Systems]()
De-Risking the Future: Manufacturing Certainty for Unmanned Systems
How strategic manufacturing partnership solves the industrialisation triad — Scale, Compliance and Cost — for hyper-growth defence tech innovators.
-
![Battlefield mobility, made in the UK]()
Battlefield mobility, made in the UK
How does Britain ensure that we can preserve the lives of our soldiers and allies – now and in the future – with homegrown innovation and resilient domestic manufacturing? At Pearson Engineering, we are proud to be a central part of the answer to this increasingly important question.
