The Army has reportedly informed the Ministry of Defence and asked it to find a way out as the artillery guns are needed immediately.
Sources said in case the ministry saw an exigency, it could opt to buy the guns directly through the foreign military sales route.
Thats what going to happen in the near future , india has already ordered 145 M777 Light howitzer from us at the cost of 650 Million USD
Since army aurgently requires 400 Howitzers , i can see the MOD placing the order with BAE systems USA , VALUED AT 400 Million USD instead of the 1.6 Billion USD Contract for 1580 Howitzer which was placed in the RFP .
BAE can also be asked to upg our 410 Bofor Guns
This will help in mentaining the artillery , and as recently said by the earstwhile army chief india army will continue to purchase surplus 130 mm and 145mm artillery from russia and other former soviet republic , in order to mentain our artillery strength at 4000 guns these second hand guns will replace old 105mm and 125 mm artillery guns
India might not have purchased new artillery guns since 1987 , but it has purchased over 750 Russian M45/46 guns of 130/145 calibre , and has even upgraded 200 of them to 155 mm , with remaining currently undergoing upg.
I expect india to buy around 350-400 Russian M46 guns in addition to 545 , 155mm guns through FMS route from USA ,
Coz thats what being happening over the yrs , This even happened a few yrs ago when the virtually finalised deal to procure mid air refuellers from Airbus was cancelled , and now we are getting news of Indian MOD considering purchase of Boing mid air refueller through the FMS route
Our defence minister REALLY LIKES THE FMS ROUTE FROM USA , SIMPLY BECOZ THERE IS NO SCOPE OF CORRUPTION , AND NO ONE DARES TO QUESTION THE AMERICAN GOVT