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DEFBIZ
HOWITZER MISFIRES AGAIN There are more questions than answers to the Defence Ministry’s keenness to acquire the M777 gun from the United States through the FMS route, writes ROHIT SRIVASTAVA
I
NDIA’S QUEST of two decades for upgradation and modernisation of its artillery seems to have got stuck in quicksand. The much-awaited induction of ultra-light howitzer BAE system’s M777 (with its 155 mm diameter barrel) under the foreign military sales route has come under a controversy. Incidentally, the M777 will be the first artillery gun induction since the Bofors guns were acquired in the late 80s from Sweden. The leaked field trial report of the gun, a copy of which was sent to the Army through a mail, listing proof about the shortcomings of the gun, is the latest roadblock that has hit the howitzer acquisition. The Army took cognizance of this and has constituted a Court of Inquiry under a three star General to look into the matter. The `3,000-crore ($647m) deal for 145 M777 howitzers, which was finalised in 2010 between the US and India, had a controversial beginning. In July 2009, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) black-listed several firms after investigation by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Singapore Technology
www.geopolitics.in
(ST), which was slated to provide its Pegasus 155mm lightweight howitzer, was one of them. This opened the road for the BAE system to push for its gun. The initial proposal was floated in 2008 by the Indian Army and there were only two contenders: BAE and ST. The ST Pegasus was 155mm/ 39 caliber with 5.4 tonnes weight and can fire three rounds in 24 seconds in burst mode. The M777 is of similar caliber but weighs 4.2 tonnes. India was left with only one option, as there were only two portable guns: the Pegasus and the BAE 155 ultra-light. India approached the US government in 2009 for the BAE 155 ultra-light howitzer, which had around 70 per cent US components and required US government’s approval for export. As Guy Douglas, spokesperson of BAE, otherwise a British company, said: “The gun is made in the US and the IPR is predominantly held in the US. Obviously there is a supply chain involving the US.” The deal got approval from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which said in its January 2010,
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notification, of a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of 145 M777 155mm LightWeight Towed Howitzers with Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems (LINAPS) and associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support for a complete package worth approximately $647 mn. The logistics and maintenance support would be provided by the BAE and Mahindra Defence System in a joint venture. Sources in the Defence Ministry suggest that the Indian Army wanted an operational gun which could be deployed immediately on the field. The urgency of India to increase its indirect fire capability in the north-east against China compelled it to go for acquisition without wasting time.
VOLATILE ACQUISITION: The leaked field trial report of the M777 howitzer gun came out of the realm of secrecy, exposing vulnerability of acquisition process
April 2011