In a boost to the Make in India campaign, BAE Systems, leading gun maker has chosen to partner with Mahindra as its India partner in a nearly $700 million deal. The deal entails supply of 145 Howitzers for the army.
These guns — M777 howitzers are artillery guns and are ultra-lightweight with a strike range of 25 km.
Media agencies reported that the “spares, maintenance and ammunition will be operated through Indian systems”, according to defence ministry sources. BAE said in a statement: that it had selected Mahindra as its business partner for the assembly and testing of the guns.
BAE manufactures the weapons in the US. India and US are in discussions for the supply of the howitzers for the Indian Army, according to statement by BAE.
According to agencies, New Delhi is trying to replenish its range of artillery weapons after years of delays in ordering new equipment for depleted supplies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to upgrade India’s military hardware. At the same time the PM wants to make deals with foreign companies to include the setting up of factories and plants in India to boost local industry, and the transfer of technology.
