The Indian Ministry of Defense has signed an agreement worth 750 million dollars, for the purchase of 145 new artillery pieces. Specifically, it is 145 howitzer ultra light by BAE Systems.
The new barrier line will be positioned along the 4000 kilometers of border with China. The M777 howitzers will exclusively equip the Mountain Strike Corps, 90 thousand soldiers who are entrusted with the protection of the Sino-Indian border.
The M777 from 155 millimeters, can fire ten shots in less than two minutes at a maximum distance of 30 kilometers. Its low weight, 4200 kg, gives it optimal logistic capabilities for transport from the rotor platforms. It is operating in Afghanistan from the 2006.
BAE will assemble 120 artillery guns in India, while delivering 25 within the next six months. It is a first step as regards the rearmament of the Indian army, the fourth in the world, mainly equipped with the Bofors guns purchased in the late 90s (the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was accused of having received bribes).
However, they are golden times for the planet's defense industries, which are competing to grab some billion dollar contract in view of the announced Indian army rearmament plan. India is currently the second largest world importer of military equipment. In the 2014, he purchased weapons, ammunition and equipment from abroad for 5,57 billion. Overall defense spending, according to Indians, will reach 620 billion by 2022.
India has already announced that to re-equip the country's artillery divisions, three thousand guns of various caliber will be needed. This suggests the scale of the Indian Army's investments.
(photo: US Army)
