The U.S. government submitted an over $700 million offer for India to acquire 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers. Sources said the Pentagon’s “letter of offer and acceptance”, submitted to the Indian defense ministry under the American foreign military sales program is now likely to lead to a government-to-government contract within 180 days.
“We are also at an advanced stage of mutually deciding the Indian partners in the deal, who will establish the assembly, integration and testing facility here. While the first lot will be delivered directly, the bulk of the 145 howitzers (BAE Systems) will be assembled in India over three years,” said a ministry source.
The air-mobile M-777s, made of titanium and aluminum alloys, have a strike range of over 15.5 miles, reports Defence Talk.