Kalyani Group Readies M777 Howitzer Equivalent Option At Much Lesser Price

[Zarvan]

The most worrying operational void of field artillery guns to support the Indian Army in battle is finally being addressed. As India gears up to import the M777 Howitzers or the Ultra-Light Howitzers (ULHs) produced by the US based BAE Systems under the reported $750 million deal, a strong price competition is brewing back home–with the Kalyani group led by Baba Kalyani all set to offer similar ULHs at a significantly lower price than the imported price of a ULH.

According to sources, a high level review meeting of India’s artillery gun projects was held early this week along with moving ahead with the plan to Purchase 145 M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers produced by BAE Systems under the ‘Make In India’ program.

Sources said the review of high budget artillery projects was carried out in the presence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. “All big artillery projects were discussed along with the purchase of M777 howitzers or ULH to modernise and enhanced the capability of Indian Armed forces,” sources said.

Back home, the Kalyani group had recently at the DefExpo 2016 exhibited the first prototype system–the Bharat Ultra-Light Howitzer that couldpose direct competition against the M777 Howitzers, made out of Titanium.

Bharat Ultra-Light Howitzer has been developed using light weight exotic materials like Titanium and Aluminium based alloys. The company also has a system ready for testing before the end of this year.

Asked to comment, Parrikar told this website that all indigenous manufacturers who offer such price advantage and have competitive products to offer will be spoken to by him.

“The purchase of M777 howitzers is a matter of time and negotiations in this regard are going on….the matter was also discussed between Parrikar and the visiting US defence secretary, Ashton Carter on April 12,” sources said.

Asked to comment, a senior official said, “Talks to import 145 M777 is on since 2012 with the US. Discussions were revived last year with the inclusion of the Make in India bit…we have progressed on the price front as the manufacturer has been seeking a hike on the initial price quoted of 2012.”

It has been reported that the price quoted by the US in 2012 was $694 million and BAE – the manufacturer has been seeking 10% hike on the four-year-old price. Reports have pegged the deal for these 145 ultra-light howitzers at around $750 million.

BAE Systems has already announced a tie up with Mahindra as its business partner for its proposed in-country assembly, integration and test (AIT) facility for the M777 Howitzer. The gun will come with laser inertial artillery pointing systems (LINAPS), maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services.

However, with the passage of the finance bill 2016 in the Lok Sabha on March 5, the clause on re-imposing the customs duty of 28.7% stands ratified and would turn the $750 million deal somewhat costlier (although the exchequer will stand to gain from this customs duty).

Whether the proposed $750 million deal will progress as planned or face delays in the aftermath of the ongoing controversy surrounding the purchase of VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestlands by the erstwhile UPA government, remains to be seen.

The M777 Ultra Light Howitzers

M777 is a 155mm 39 caliber towed gun which, through proven technology and the innovative use of titanium and aluminum alloys, meets the requirement for rapidly deployable and accurate artillery fire support.

· M777 is the world’s first 155mm Howitzer weighing less than 10000 lbs (4218 kg)
· Highly mobile on land, at sea and in the air, the M777 has increased survivability through:
· Unsurpassed tactical & strategic mobility, Low thermal & radar signature, Rapid emplacement / displacement, Low silhouette

http://defenceaviationpost.com/indi...-readies-equivalent-option-much-lesser-price/

 

[Water Car Engineer]

Back home, the Kalyani group had recently at the DefExpo 2016 exhibited the first prototype system–the Bharat Ultra-Light Howitzer that couldpose direct competition against the M777 Howitzers, made out of Titanium.

Bharat Ultra-Light Howitzer has been developed using light weight exotic materials like Titanium and Aluminium based alloys. The company also has a system ready for testing before the end of this year.

What they showed in defexpo isnt the M777 equivalent

That's a upgraded, light variant of the existing 105 gun.

The 155mm/39 ULH is yet to be shown.

 

[Indian Jatt]

Why doesn't the indian army appreciate the things that are at hands???
Indian navy is a fine example of how you execute your plans perfectly, they have evolved so much because they have visualized every threat they could face in future, indian army feels full because they think they are only going to face PA(which is a formidable force in itself), no trolling pls, if they soon dont start inducting indian made systems, they will probably kill the make in india concept and maybe in future no company would be interested to make equipment for them.
JAI HIND

 

[Vyom]

The most worrying operational void of field artillery guns to support the Indian Army in battle is finally being addressed. As India gears up to import the M777 Howitzers or the Ultra-Light Howitzers (ULHs) produced by the US based BAE Systems under the reported $750 million deal, a strong price competition is brewing back home–with the Kalyani group led by Baba Kalyani all set to offer similar ULHs at a significantly lower price than the imported price of a ULH.

According to sources, a high level review meeting of India’s artillery gun projects was held early this week along with moving ahead with the plan to Purchase 145 M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers produced by BAE Systems under the ‘Make In India’ program.

Sources said the review of high budget artillery projects was carried out in the presence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. “All big artillery projects were discussed along with the purchase of M777 howitzers or ULH to modernise and enhanced the capability of Indian Armed forces,” sources said.

Back home, the Kalyani group had recently at the DefExpo 2016 exhibited the first prototype system–the Bharat Ultra-Light Howitzer that couldpose direct competition against the M777 Howitzers, made out of Titanium.

Bharat Ultra-Light Howitzer has been developed using light weight exotic materials like Titanium and Aluminium based alloys. The company also has a system ready for testing before the end of this year.

Asked to comment, Parrikar told this website that all indigenous manufacturers who offer such price advantage and have competitive products to offer will be spoken to by him.

“The purchase of M777 howitzers is a matter of time and negotiations in this regard are going on….the matter was also discussed between Parrikar and the visiting US defence secretary, Ashton Carter on April 12,” sources said.

Asked to comment, a senior official said, “Talks to import 145 M777 is on since 2012 with the US. Discussions were revived last year with the inclusion of the Make in India bit…we have progressed on the price front as the manufacturer has been seeking a hike on the initial price quoted of 2012.”

It has been reported that the price quoted by the US in 2012 was $694 million and BAE – the manufacturer has been seeking 10% hike on the four-year-old price. Reports have pegged the deal for these 145 ultra-light howitzers at around $750 million.

BAE Systems has already announced a tie up with Mahindra as its business partner for its proposed in-country assembly, integration and test (AIT) facility for the M777 Howitzer. The gun will come with laser inertial artillery pointing systems (LINAPS), maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services.

However, with the passage of the finance bill 2016 in the Lok Sabha on March 5, the clause on re-imposing the customs duty of 28.7% stands ratified and would turn the $750 million deal somewhat costlier (although the exchequer will stand to gain from this customs duty).

Whether the proposed $750 million deal will progress as planned or face delays in the aftermath of the ongoing controversy surrounding the purchase of VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestlands by the erstwhile UPA government, remains to be seen.

The M777 Ultra Light Howitzers

M777 is a 155mm 39 caliber towed gun which, through proven technology and the innovative use of titanium and aluminum alloys, meets the requirement for rapidly deployable and accurate artillery fire support.

· M777 is the world’s first 155mm Howitzer weighing less than 10000 lbs (4218 kg)
· Highly mobile on land, at sea and in the air, the M777 has increased survivability through:
· Unsurpassed tactical & strategic mobility, Low thermal & radar signature, Rapid emplacement / displacement, Low silhouette

http://defenceaviationpost.com/indi...-readies-equivalent-option-much-lesser-price/

They has 105 field Gun in ultralight category not M777 equivalent 155mm arty. Just a concept poster of 155mm/39cal ULH.

What they showed in defexpo isnt the M777 equivalent

That's a upgraded, light variant of the existing 105 gun.

The 155mm/39 ULH is yet to be shown.

This...

 

[Water Car Engineer]

I know that there's M777, etc and all, but seriously, if some of these are trialed and found adequate, I would want them to be inducted for their efforts alone. Surely the requirement is big enough?

Modernized 105

Mounted 105

Bharat 45 (I dont think IA wants 45 in the long run, but still)

Bharat 52 without autoloader

Bharat 52 with autoloader

155MM/39 CAL ULH

DRDO 155/52

Upgunned 130mm to 155mm/45mm

Seriously, I dont care if they roped in some tech advisers, it's a sound enough strategy to lay a foundation. Also, they were trying to get in the game when they couldnt even test fire their guns within their own home country. Reward ambition, they've a roster full in a very short period of time.

 

[Bilal Khan 777]

any update on the M777 LOA?