Insta
The M777 Deal A Major Step Forward For US-India Defence Relationship, Says US Envoy
M777 Light Towed Howitzer. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
On 30 November, India signed a Letter of Agreement and Acceptance (LOA) with the United States (US) to purchase 145 M777 ultra-light artillery guns through the foreign military sale route. US Ambassador to India Richard Verma on Thursday (1 December) said the deal was a major step forward in the US-India defence relationship.
Verma said the partnership of Indian industry with the US defence subsidiary of BAE Systems to locally assemble, integrate and test the howitzers will boost the Make-in-India campaign. Out of 145 guns, BAE will deliver 25 guns, and the rest 120 will be assembled in India by Mahindra.
The 155mm/39 calibre gun, with a maximum range of 30km, is manufactured by the BAE Systems and can be transported through helicopter or aircraft. The ultra light howitzer is being purchased primarily to deploy on mountains in eastern China border. This will provide the much-needed fire power to the Indian Army in the mountains.
With inputs from IANS
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
