India clears $660 million deal for artillery guns

[Poseidon]

11 May, 2012, 05.02PM IST, IANS
India clears $660 million deal for artillery guns.

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army got a shot in the arm today with the defence ministry clearing its long-pending $660 million (Rs.3,000 crore) proposal to buy 145 ultra-light howitzer guns to add teeth to its ageing inventory.

This is the first time the army is buying artillery guns in 27 years, since the Bofors guns payoff scandal broke out in the late 1980s.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister A K Antony, cleared the deal for the M777 BAE Systems guns that will be bought through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route of the US government.

The purchase comes in the wake of Indian Army chief Gen. V K Singh writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in March highlighting the gaps in its preparedness.

India clears $660 million deal for artillery guns - The Economic Times

 

[Poseidon]

Great news,guys.
Can mods change the title to:India clears $660 million deal for artillery guns.

 

[nrj]

Title edited.

Good news. Congrats to all, finally some guns !

 

[Blackwater]

howwwwwwww it can be possible????. its a direct insult to our sarkari babus

 

[hit&run]

Noob questions. Is this a good gun, are the numbers adequate. How we can compare it with Bofors. I find in a video, operating this gun takes around six men. Is it normal practise.

 

[Koovie]

I cant believe it!!!!!!Aftere so many years after the Bofors scam.....
Made my day :cool2:

 

[agentperry]

congratulation...

 

[Poseidon]

Noob questions. Is this a good gun, are the numbers adequate. How we can compare it with Bofors. I find in a video, operating this gun takes around six men. Is it normal practise.

It is one of the best.It takes around 5-6 men to operate this gun.Not.hing can beat it in terms of mobility.

Some more data:
http://www.baesystems.com/cs/groups/public/documents/document/mdaw/mdm4/~edisp/baes_020723.pdf

 

[Zebra]

 

[Koovie]

It is one of the best.It takes around 5-6 men to operate this gun.Not.hing can beat it in terms of mobility.

Some more data:
http://www.baesystems.com/cs/groups/public/documents/document/mdaw/mdm4/~edisp/baes_020723.pdf

It fits perfect for our mountain regions, it can even be lifted by helos. But I dont know if the numbers are adequate

 

[drkrn]

is there any chance for having a follow up order.i think 145 is a bit less for replacing ageing bofors

 

[drkrn]

want to see now how our neighbours react

 

[Oracle]

Are those for the Chinese front, to be placed in NE?

Good developments, seems Anthonyji smelled the coffee.

 

[p2prada]

Noob questions. Is this a good gun, are the numbers adequate. How we can compare it with Bofors. I find in a video, operating this gun takes around six men. Is it normal practise.

It is a good gun and more advanced than the Bofors. Numbers are inadequate, but it is a start. Perhaps follow on orders will be given if the Army is satisfied with it. We will have 3 corps facing China afterall.

Orders for other artillery types are still in sarkari cupboards.

 

[utubekhiladi]

these guns are very very over priced. and i bet the ammos price will also be rocket high.. too bad we can't produce such guns at home

 

[Zebra]

these guns are very very over priced. and i bet the ammos price will also be rocket high.. too bad we can't produce such guns at home

Are you talking about Ultra-Light Howitzer ?
Dude , let them make a modern howitzer by them self first , ultra light is too far away yet .

 

[Rahul92]

 

[Rahul92]

Specifications
Weight 4,218 kg (9,300 lb)
Length Combat: 10.7 m (35 ft 1 in)
Travel: 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
Barrel length 39 calibers
Crew 5
Caliber 155 mm (6.1 in)
Carriage split trail
Rate of fire Normal: 2 rpm
Maximum: 5 rpm
Effective range M107: 24 km (15 mi)
ERFB: 30 km (18.6 mi) base bleed
Excalibur: 40 km (25 mi)

 

[utubekhiladi]

Are you talking about Ultra-Light Howitzer ?
Dude , let them make a modern howitzer by them self first , ultra light is too far away yet .

660 millions could have been wisely spend on R&D in domestic industries itself to make big gun for now, and in future and forever

 

[Rahul92]