Indian Army inducted the first batch of its ‘state-of-the-art’ gun systems at Devlali Field Firing Ranges in Nashik on 9 November. The artillery gun systems include the M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers, K9 Vajra a tracked self-propelled howitzer and a ‘Composite Gun Tractor’ for towing some existing guns in service: each tractor is fitted with a crane that can handle ammunition weighing up to two tons.
The induction ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. Sitharaman stated, “State-of-the-art gun systems have been inducted at Devlali Field Firing Ranges in Nashik. The recently inducted M777’s can be heli-lifted in mountainous areas. While the negotiations to buy the M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers started in 2006 with the US Government, it only picked steam in the last three years. A contract was signed with the USA for the supply of 145 ultralight howitzer M-777, of which 25 will be brought to India in combat-ready condition. The remaining 125 guns will be made in India with the help of Mahindra Defence. The third piece of equipment, inducted along with the guns, is the Common Gun Tower, a 6x6 vehicle with cross country capability. These Common Gun Towers are made by the India’s Ashok Leyland.”
The artillery modernisation plan has been moving at a very slow speed since the last couple of decades but it picked up pace when the Indian Army issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 100 155mm / 52-calibre SP gun programme in 2011. More than three decades have passed since a modern artillery system was inducted by the army, the last being the Bofors FH77B02 in 1987.
The first regiment of K9 Vajra tracked gun, first-ever artillery gun manufactured by the Indian private sector (but procured from South Korea), is expected to be completed by July 2019. “The gun has a maximum range of 28-38 km and it is capable of burst firing three rounds in 30 seconds, intense firing of 15 rounds in three minutes and sustained firing of 60 rounds in 60 minutes”, stated Colonel Aman Anand, Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence. The Army is going to raise seven regiments with a total of 145 M777’s. Five guns each will be delivered to the Army beginning August 2019 and the entire process will be completed in 24 months. The first regiment will complete by October next year, the spokesperson further stated.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with Army Chief Bipin Rawat and the K9 Vajra in action during the induction ceremony
Comments from BAE Systems and Mahindra Group on the M777
“The Indian Army is receiving an extremely reliable and battle-proven artillery platform,” Joe Senftle, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems’ weapon systems business, stated while attending the event. “The M777 brings a new level of capability to the artillery unit by offering rapid deployment and extreme accuracy. It can operate in areas that are difficult to access and is also very easy to maintain.”
“The M777 ULH is more than a very effective piece of artillery technology,” stated Nik Khanna, managing director India, BAE Systems. “With the M777 programme, BAE Systems has made the first step of our substantive Make-in-India commitment, which includes our pledge to develop a network of Indian suppliers for our global supply chain and deepen our relationship with industry in India. We are committed to a strong and collaborative working relationship between BAE Systems, the Indian Armed Forces and Indian industry.”
“This is a landmark event with the first M777s being delivered to the Indian Army. It is a product of our long-standing business partnership with BAE Systems,” stated SP Shukla, Group President - Aerospace & Defence Sector, Mahindra Group, and Chairman - Mahindra Defence Systems. “In this programme each of the M777 howitzers have value addition from Mahindra Defence. I believe that this is the first step towards Make-in-India with much bigger programmes to follow.”
