NEW DELHI: The government’s decision to buy 145 M777 155mm/45-calibre ultra-light Howitzer battlefield guns from BAE Systems under the Foreign Sales Military route with the US will further enhance defence ties between both the countries, according to US Ambassador to India Richard Verma.
The deal was approved by the Defence Ministry in June and the letter of agreement or LoA was signed on Wednesday between both the governments. “Indian industry will partner with the US defence subsidiary of BAE Systems to locally assemble, integrate, and test the Howitzers, supporting Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s Make-in-India campaign.
This deal marks a major step forward in US-India defence relationship and supports jobs in both our countries,” Verma said on Thursday.
Verma said as major defence partners, the US and India remain committed to “enhancing military modernisation efforts” and building a security partnership based “on trust, transparency, and shared interests.”
“We look forward to providing the Indian Army with the combat-proven M777. Our plan to establish a domestic Assembly, Integration and Test facility further demonstrates our commitment to ‘Make in India’ and remains a firm part of our strategy to work with the Indian defence sector across air, land, sea and security,” said Joe Senftle, Vice-President and General Manager for Weapon Systems at BAE Systems.
