(India) Defence ministry gives nod for purchase of 145 ultra-light howitzers from US

[FrodosPet]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Defence-ministry-gives-nod-for-purchase-of-145-ultra-light-howitzers-from-US/articleshow/52916016.cms

PTI | Jun 25, 2016, 05.21 PM IST

NEW DELHI: The Defence Ministry on Saturday paved the way for purchase of 145 Ultra Light Howitzers, worth about $750 million, from the US and also approved bulk production of 18 Dhanush artillery guns, the first acquisition of such weapon systems by the Army in three decades since the Bofors scandal.

Another key project that got an Acceptance of Necessity (AON), which will now allow the Navy to issue tenders, was the proposal to build six next generation missile vessels under 'Buy Indian' category for Rs 13,600 crore.

"DAC has approved progressing of ongoing case of procurement of 145 Ultra Light Howitzers through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route from the US. DAC directed independent progressing of offset. The delivery of these guns will be in India which will help in substantial saving of transportation cost," a senior defence ministry official said.

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The gun, a towed howitzer with a strike range of 38-km, has been developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata, after going through the design and voluminous documents running into more than 12,000 pages which were delivered to India under the first phase of Transfer of Technology as part of the Bofors gun deal in late 80s.

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[FrodosPet]

1. NRA members are drooling

...even more than usual about the home defense and hunting uses of a 155mm gun.

"Castle defense! Standing my ground! I had to take out that potential burglar while he was still 30 clicks away!"