Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 25

In a two-pronged move to address the crippling shortage of 155 mm artillery guns of the Army, the Ministry of Defence today approved the first such gun purchase in 30 years and also set a timeframe for a second line of locally produced artillery guns.It was in 1986 that India had last ordered a 155 mm artillery gun when 410 pieces of the FH-77B were procured from Swedish company Bofors for Rs 1,500 crore.Today, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar okayed the purchase of 145 M777 ultra light howitzers (ULH). The DAC agreed to send the letter of acceptance (LOA) to BAE Systems for the supply of guns through the foreign military sales routes offered by the US.India had time till August 5 to agree and send an LOA. A cost negotiation committee agreed on Rs 5,100 crore for the 145 guns.BAE Systems will assemble, integrate and test the guns at a facility created with Indian company Mahindra.  This will be the main ground-based weapon for the Mountain Strike Corps to be stationed all along the Himalayas.BAE will supply the first 25 guns in ready-to-use condition. It has been asked to start deliveries within six months of signing the contract. The purchase of the ULH was originally proposed in 2008. Made of titanium, each gun weighs 4,000 kg, making it transportable by CH-47 Chinook helicopters, C-17 Globemaster and the C-130 Hercules aircraft or on trucks.

Dhanush timeline

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) also reviewed the progress of the indigenous 155 mm artillery gun, Dhanush, modelled on the transfer of technology from Bofors. The final trials of a production-level prototype start at the end of this month. This is supposed to be the last lap of trials before the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) starts bulk production
• OFB, that comes under the Ministry of Defence, has been set a stiff delivery schedule. The first 18 guns will be delivered in 18 months. Another 36 are slated for delivery over 12 months thereafter
• The DAC also approved the case of the six next generation missile carrying vessels that will replace the 1980s design Soviet-era warships. It will cost Rs 13,600 crore