|
The BAE offer is "based on the FH77 B05
155mm howitzer, and a significant proportion will
be manufactured in India to meet the specific
needs of the Indian Army", a company statement
said.
"The FH77 B05 is a more powerful, updated
and computerised version of the howitzer that
performed so well in the Kargil conflict. FH77B05
has significantly greater range than its predecessor,
but retains many of the features that endeared
the system to its users in the Indian Army,"
the statement added.
The Army is known to be immediately looking for
400 towed howitzers as part of its artillery modernisation
programme that has suffered inordinate delays.
The numbers could eventually go up to 1,600. If
the entire modernistion programme is taken into
account, the Indian Army will be shopping for
some 5,000 howitzers in the next two decades in
a combination of towed, self-propelled and ultra-light
guns.
The BAE bid is in response to a fresh request
for information (RFI) issued by the Defence Ministry
last month after the previous tendering process
was cancelled after it had reached the summer
field trial phase.
No official reason has been assigned for the cancellation
but sources said this was because some of the
contenders could not meet the conditions stipulated
in the tender.
"BAE Systems and the FH77 B05 was present
and ready to take part in those cancelled trials
in Rajasthan and the (gun) remains in India ready
to recommence the process," the statement
said.
Andrew Gallagher, Managing Director and Chief
Executive of BAE Systems India, said: "BAE
Systems is confident that the FH77 B05 is the
best heavy towed howitzer in the world today and
meets the requirements of the Indian Army."
"If selected...our FH77 howitzer will be
largely manufactured by Defence Land Systems India,
our joint venture with Mahindra and we hope this
will be the first step to establishing this business
as an artillery centre of excellence, for BAE
Systems globally. Furthermore it will create highly
skilled local jobs in India," Gallagher said.
Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director
of the Mahindra Group, said: "Working on
this programme will bring world-leading artillery
technology to India for the first time, setting
in motion the process of making Defence Land Systems
India a global force in artillery."
BAE Systems is a global defence, security and
aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees
worldwide. The company delivers a full range of
products and services for air, land and naval
forces, as well as advanced electronics, security,
information technology solutions and customer
support services. In 2009, BAE Systems reported
sales of $36.2 billion (Rs.1.7 trillion).
(IANS)
|
