The M777 Ultra Lightweight Howitzer (ULH) gun system at Defexpo’16
Two BAE Systems M777 Ultra Lightweight Howitzer (ULH) gun systems are taking centre stage at DefExpo 2020. The two M777 ULH systems signify the145-gun agreement between the US and Indian governments to strengthen India’s artillery capabilities. Under the agreement, 120 ULH systems are being assembled, integrated and tested in India by Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd. (MDSL), as part of the ‘Make in India’ programme. To date, BAE Systems has produced and delivered 25guns to the Indian Army, with another 70-plus planned for 2020.
In addition, the BAE Systems stand at DefExpo 2020 (R32, Hall 7, UK Pavilion) is exhibiting an array of state-of-the-art capabilities, including towed and self-propelled artillery, naval gun systems and ships, ammunition, unmanned autonomous systems and precision munitions. Dave Armstrong, BAE Systems’ Group Business Development Director, stated, “India is a strategic market for BAE Systems and DefExpo 2020 provides the company with the ideal platform to showcase the deep collaboration and commitment that exist with the Indian government and across industry, highlighted best by the ongoing success of the M777 ULH programme.”
Nik Khanna, BAE Systems’ Managing Director India, added: “BAE Systems is proud to be a founding partner of defence manufacturing in India, and DefExpo 2020 is a great occasion to engage further with our key Indian stakeholders, strengthening existing partnerships and exploring avenues for new ones, particularly around the Mk45 naval gun. The team also looks forward to using this opportunity to discuss the continuing development of BAE Systems’ in-country supply chain, which the company is committed to expanding.”
At DefExpo 2020, BAE Systems is exhibiting a 3-Dimensional video of its Mk45 Mod 4 naval gun, the lightest, most compact, fully automatic 127mm naval gun in the world. With a dozen customers globally, including the US and United Kingdom, the 62-calibre Mk45 naval gun can provide a firing range of 13 nautical miles with conventional munitions.
Building on continued interest in India, and highlighting its expertise in warship design, BAE Systems is showcasing a model of the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier at its stand at DefExpo 2020. A model of the ‘Make in India’ Hawk advanced jet trainer, which is in service with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, is also on display.
Array of munitions are being exhibited by BAE Systems, including the 57mm and 40mm programmable 3P Ammo and BONUS 155mm sensor-fused ammunition. The APKWS laser-guidance kit is being featured on the stand. The low-cost, combat-proven APKWS kit transforms standard 2.75-inch (70-millemeter) rockets into precision munitions that reduce collateral damage. The guidance kits are compatible with existing and new inventories of rocket motors, warheads, and launchers; are easy to install; and require minimal training to use. With APKWS, rockets have achieved over a 93 percent hit rate in combat, have been fired from more than 20 different platforms, and are available to allied nations via Foreign Military Sales from the US Government.
M777 image from Defexpo’16