The U.S. Defense Department awarded BAE Systems a $542 million contract to provide 145 M777 lightweight howitzers to the Indian Army through a Foreign Military Sale (FMS), the company said Jan. 12.
The M777 is a 155mm 39 caliber towed howitzer that weighs under 10,000 pounds. Previously, the U.S., Canada, and Australia have ordered over one thousand of the howitzers.
“We look forward to working with the Indian Army and providing the only battle-proven 155mm ultra lightweight howitzer in the world. The M777 will give the Indian Army superior artillery capability,” Joe Senftle, BAE vice president and general manager for weapon systems, said in a statement.
The contract work is set to start immediately and will be performed by BAE and its suppliers in the U.S. United Kingdom, and India. Deliveries are expected to start in June 2017.