US-origin M777 howitzers to add fire power to Indian Army

[HariPrasad]

US-origin M777 howitzers to add fire power to Indian Army
Published May 15, 2015 | By admin
SOURCE: ECONOMIC TIMES

In what will be a major fillip to the private defence manufacturing sector, the government has cleared three ‘Make in India’ contracts worth $3.4 billion, including a project to procure US-origin M777 artillery guns.

India’s Ordnance Factory Board has already developed the electronically upgraded desi version of the original Swedish 155mm Bofors howitzer, and the guns are currently at the trial stage. DRDO is also developing an advanced all-electric gun system.

We take a look at the M777 artillery guns that India is looking to procure:The ultra-light howitzers could be partly made locally with BAE proposing to set up a production unit here in partnership with a private firm.

In the race for this $700-million deal are Mahindra, L&T and Tata, who can get a share in the ammunition, spares and maintenance of the guns.BAE spokesperson told ET that AIT facility is an integral part of its proposal and the company will now proceed with choosing its local partners.

BAE’s howitzer was first considered in 2008 by the UPA regime but the idea was buried in 2013 thanks to differences over price and offset commitments.The army, which is in dire need of new artillery guns, has requested an initial quantity of 145 ultralight howitzers — a number that could increase.

M777 is a 155mm 39 caliber towed gun. According to BAE, the weapon can strike over extended distances, regardless of terrain.

Maximum unassisted: 24.7 km

Maximum assisted: 30+ km

BAE claims that the M777 howitzer is portable by land, sea and air.Meanwhile, India’s upgraded desi version of the original Swedish 155mm Bofors howitzer is currently in the trial stage.

The artillery gun has been christened ‘Dhanush’. They have been upgraded to 45-calibre from the original 39-calibre to give the new howitzer a 38-km range compared to the 30-km of the original Bofors gun.Both the Army and OFB, in fact, are ‘quite excited’ about Dhanush, which they claim performs ’20-25% better’ than the original Bofors gun in virtually all parameters like range, accuracy, consistency, low and high angle of fire and shoot-and-scoot ability

 

[Azz Kikr]

M777 is the best artillery of the world, they are even better than than bofor 77bs.

 

[uparyupari]

M777 is the best artillery of the world, they are even better than than bofor 77bs.

True. Cost twice as much as Bofors too. Not to mention Bofors also have the power to move on its own for short distances to move away from enemy fire.

Pretty cool demo of Bofors.

Now compare this to M-777.

Bofors is a dream to operate. It turns on its own, moves on its own and has a automated crane to load shells ............. one of the finest piece of towed artillery guns.

 

[Skull and Bones]

True. Cost twice as much as Bofors too. Not to mention Bofors also have the power to move on its own for short distances to move away from enemy fire.

Pretty cool demo of Bofors.

But I don't think Bofors can be airlifted.

 

[uparyupari]

But I don't think Bofors can be airlifted.

No, that is the only area where the M-777 scores over the bofors.

 

[Suman]

True. Cost twice as much as Bofors too. Not to mention Bofors also have the power to move on its own for short distances to move away from enemy fire.

Pretty cool demo of Bofors.

Now compare this to M-777.

Bofors is a dream to operate. It turns on its own, moves on its own and has a automated crane to load shells ............. one of the finest piece of towed artillery guns.

Gosh so much of manual work and so many soldiers required

 

[Manindra]

But I don't think Bofors can be airlifted.

It can be airlifted but by MI-26

 

[kakathiya]

the only advantage these M777 's are having is that they can be air lifted but they need more men and its low tech, we are buying these only because for the last 60 years our govt run ordnance factories are doing sh*t, because of the bad policies of our previous govt's we have to buy these low tech guns for huge money wasting our foreign exchange, it is said that these M777 guns are casted out of titanium is it true? please any one answer

It can be airlifted but by MI-26

may be to air lift these guns we need to buy chinooks, our MI-26 may not be enough, the american way of marketing

 

[Manindra]

the only advantage these M777 's are having is that they can be air lifted but they need more men and its low tech, we are buying these only because for the last 60 years our govt run ordnance factories are doing sh*t, because of the bad policies of our previous govt's we have to buy these low tech guns for huge money wasting our foreign exchange, it is said that these M777 guns are casted out of titanium is it true? please any one answer


may be to air lift these guns we need to buy chinooks, our MI-26 may not be enough, the american way of marketing

MI 26 can airlift Chinook along with Bofors

 

[kakathiya]

MI 26 can airlift Chinook along with Bofors

then why were these army guys were crying like babys that they need light guns for the mountains, if MI-26 can carry boforce guns on to the mountains, did any of the army generals had a stake in the american company, or they dont trust MI-26 may be

 

[Manindra]

then why were these army guys were crying like babys that they need light guns for the mountains, if MI-26 can carry boforce guns on to the mountains, did any of the army generals had a stake in the american company, or they dont trust MI-26 may be

The problem with MI 26 is they are not land anywhere which is IA main demand .
MI 26 is also fuel guzzler, need more maintenance, low availability.
If Russia update them with highly efficient engine, Glass cockpit, computerized loading mechanism & more CFC used in body then it would be sell like hot cakes.

 

[kakathiya]

The problem with MI 26 is they are not land anywhere which is IA main demand .
MI 26 is also fuel guzzler, need more maintenance, low availability.
If Russia update them with highly efficient engine, Glass cockpit, computerized loading mechanism & more CFC used in body then it would be sell like hot cakes.

this shows Indian army's lack of confidence on mi-26, and why cant IA build helipads specifically for MI-26, and why cant it be upgraded by Indian companies like HAL, if there is a will any thing can be done

 

[OrionHunter]

It can be airlifted but by MI-26

But we have just one! The other two have been cannibalized for spare parts!! So this capability is of no use to man or beast!

 

[indiatester]

During Kargil, the reports said that the gunners disassembled the guns and transported them to different locations. I guess the same can be done while airlifting.

 

[uparyupari]

the only advantage these M777 's are having is that they can be air lifted but they need more men and its low tech, we are buying these only because for the last 60 years our govt run ordnance factories are doing sh*t, because of the bad policies of our previous govt's we have to buy these low tech guns for huge money wasting our foreign exchange, it is said that these M777 guns are casted out of titanium is it true? please any one answer


may be to air lift these guns we need to buy chinooks, our MI-26 may not be enough, the american way of marketing

M777 makes extensive use of titanium and titanium castings to help it reduce weight. That is why its so expensive while being so low tech.