US plans to sell M777 howitzers to India; deal to involve 'Make in India' component

[PARIKRAMA]

US plans to sell M777 howitzers to India; deal to involve 'Make in India' component
By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | 15 Feb, 2016, 10:34 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The US has finalised a proposal to sell M777 ultra-light howitzers to India under a direct government-to-government deal, with Washington expected to send a formal 'Letter of Acceptance' this week. The light artillery gun deal, worth over $700 million, will also involve a significant 'Make in India' component with Mahindra expected to bag a major share of the work contract

Sources have told ET that the LOA, which is the final step from the US in a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract like this, has been finalised and is to be presented to South Block this week. This would be followed by an acceptance from the Indian side and subsequently transfer of an advance after which deliveries of 145 guns would commence.

At least two M777 light howitzers are expected to be delivered to India this year as part of the deal so that the army can generate its 'range tables' - a calibration for the various types of Indian made ammunition that the guns would fire once in service.

The deal for M777 howitzers under the FMS route has been in process since 2008 and has seen several ups and downs, including the possibility of being scrapped. The contract was revived last year by the Modi government under a new deal that included a Make in India component.

US plans to sell M777 howitzers to India; deal to involve 'Make in India' component - The Economic Times


++++
@Abingdonboy @MilSpec @anant_s @Capt.Popeye
Its finally here.......
At least the FMS route...

Post this the MII part should be explored for 500 more gunz...

 

[PARIKRAMA]

i still sa its Bharat Forge who should win the MII part due to licence application approval

The ultra light howitzer makes it a strong contender..

Originally picked from here
Make in India Defence

This data is as on October 2015.. so if a licence approval has happened after that then i don know..

As for Mahindra

So i dont see anyplace anything which shows any relation to Light Howitzer as on Oct 2015...

 

[Ankit Kumar]

Ok... the mountain corps initially, means at present is based in Ranchi.
Waiting for M777s .... hope I get to see them face to face.

US plans to sell M777 howitzers to India; deal to involve 'Make in India' component
By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | 15 Feb, 2016, 10:34 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The US has finalised a proposal to sell M777 ultra-light howitzers to India under a direct government-to-government deal, with Washington expected to send a formal 'Letter of Acceptance' this week. The light artillery gun deal, worth over $700 million, will also involve a significant 'Make in India' component with Mahindra expected to bag a major share of the work contract

Sources have told ET that the LOA, which is the final step from the US in a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract like this, has been finalised and is to be presented to South Block this week. This would be followed by an acceptance from the Indian side and subsequently transfer of an advance after which deliveries of 145 guns would commence.

At least two M777 light howitzers are expected to be delivered to India this year as part of the deal so that the army can generate its 'range tables' - a calibration for the various types of Indian made ammunition that the guns would fire once in service.

The deal for M777 howitzers under the FMS route has been in process since 2008 and has seen several ups and downs, including the possibility of being scrapped. The contract was revived last year by the Modi government under a new deal that included a Make in India component.

US plans to sell M777 howitzers to India; deal to involve 'Make in India' component - The Economic Times


++++
@Abingdonboy @MilSpec @anant_s @Capt.Popeye
Its finally here.......
At least the FMS route...

Post this the MII part should be explored for 500 more gunz...

500? Are you sure ?
I was told some would be imported and some manufactured here. And our needs are some ~350-400 pieces.

 

[4GTejasBVR]

Am expecting more from US after their betrayal over 8 f16s to Pakistan... Hopefully more fdi will flow in with armed drones...

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Ok... the mountain corps initially, means at present is based in Ranchi.
Waiting for M777s .... hope I get to see them face to face


500? Are you sure ?
I was told some would be imported and some manufactured here. And our needs are some ~350-400 pieces.

There was a news article on Hindu in Dec 2015
Ministry keen to purchase 500 more Howitzer guns from BAE Systems : The Hindu Business Line - Mobile edition
I quote

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is planning to place yet another multi-million dollar order with BAE Systems Inc for purchasing 500 more M777 ultra-light Howitzer guns. This is even as it is all set to sign the pending sale of 145 gun-pack with the UK-headquartered defence major.

Apparently, the Ministry has already expressed its interest to procure 500 pieces for the Indian Army from BAE Systems, according to official sources. However, commercial talks are yet to begin.
So its 500+145= 645

 

[Brahmaputra Mail]

The light artillery gun deal, worth over $700 million, will also involve a significant 'Make in India' component with Mahindra expected to bag a major share of the work contract

What's that significant component ?

 

[Abingdonboy]

US plans to sell M777 howitzers to India; deal to involve 'Make in India' component
By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | 15 Feb, 2016, 10:34 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The US has finalised a proposal to sell M777 ultra-light howitzers to India under a direct government-to-government deal, with Washington expected to send a formal 'Letter of Acceptance' this week. The light artillery gun deal, worth over $700 million, will also involve a significant 'Make in India' component with Mahindra expected to bag a major share of the work contract

Sources have told ET that the LOA, which is the final step from the US in a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract like this, has been finalised and is to be presented to South Block this week. This would be followed by an acceptance from the Indian side and subsequently transfer of an advance after which deliveries of 145 guns would commence.

At least two M777 light howitzers are expected to be delivered to India this year as part of the deal so that the army can generate its 'range tables' - a calibration for the various types of Indian made ammunition that the guns would fire once in service.

The deal for M777 howitzers under the FMS route has been in process since 2008 and has seen several ups and downs, including the possibility of being scrapped. The contract was revived last year by the Modi government under a new deal that included a Make in India component.

US plans to sell M777 howitzers to India; deal to involve 'Make in India' component - The Economic Times


++++
@Abingdonboy @MilSpec @anant_s @Capt.Popeye
Its finally here.......
At least the FMS route...

Post this the MII part should be explored for 500 more gunz...

That's that then- deal done effectively. Let's just wait for the MII part to follow, this will be the more important step.

2016 is gonna be a good year for arty- K9 (L&T) and M777 deals to be signed, now just waiting on MGS.

 

[Ankit Kumar]

Abingdonboy, post: 8157688, member: 28303"]That's that then- deal done effectively. Let's just wait for the MII part to follow, this will be the more important step.

2016 is gonna be a good year for arty- K9 (L&T) and M777 deals to be signed, now just waiting on MGS.

And Dhanush too. If MGS us accelerated, within 5 years our artillery will again have that qualitative edge.

 

[Dash]

MGS

Mango alert..

Whats MGS?

 

[Abingdonboy]

Mango alert..

Whats MGS?

Mounted Gun System (MGS) like the NEXTER CEASAR or BAE ARCHER

^ Nexter CEASAR (on an AL chassis) on offer to India in a tie up with L&T

And Dhanush too. If MGS us accelerated, within 5 years our artillery will again have that qualitative edge.

Right.

Work needs to be carried out across the board, not peicemeal procurements here and there but a comprehensive modernisation and expansion.

 

[Dash]

Mounted Gun System (MGS) like the NEXTER CEASAR or BAE ARCHER

^ Nexter CEASAR (on an AL chassis) on offer to India in a tie up with L&T


Right.

Work needs to be carried out across the board, not peicemeal procurements here and there but a comprehensive modernisation and expansion.

Ahh...I was thinking about that then I confused myself with something else.

Thanks
Mango alert out...

 

[Penguin]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2010 - The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Jan. 22 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of 145 M777 155mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers with Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems (LINAPS) and associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support for a complete package worth approximately $647 million.

The Government of India has requested a possible sale of 145 M777 155mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers with Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems (LINAPS), warranty, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representatives’ technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $647 million.

India – M777 155mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency

WASHINGTON, August 7, 2013 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Aug 2 of a possible Foreign Military Sale India of 145 M777 155mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $885 million.

The Government of India has requested a possible sale of 145 M777 155mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers with Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems (LINAPS), warranty, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representatives’ technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $885 million.

India – M777 155mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency

Two DSCA entries. Same items, different price tags. Both of which differ from the $700 million price tag mentioned above.

???

 

[rockstarIN]

Do we need the OM's support after purchase for repair/maint,?

 

[Abingdonboy]

India – M777 155mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency


India – M777 155mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency

Two DSCA entries. Same items, different price tags. Both of which differ from the $700 million price tag mentioned above.

???

The last one being from 2013, one can expect that govt-govt talks have had an impact on what existed in the past.

 

[Penguin]

M777 can be underslung from a helicopter. Nexter Ceasar or BAE Archer can't.

A compromise is the Supacat portee option available for M777: it can either tow or carry the howitzer while both elements can be transported seperately.

The main advantage of Portee is the fact that the unit can be split into two loads slung under a transport helicopter.

The complete M777 Portee System weighs about 12.3 tons (with gun) and can be carried inside a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, just like Archer and Ceasar.

Portee Artillery Support vehicle