Defence Ministry clears projs worth over Rs 20,000 crore

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's China visit, Defence Ministry on Wednesday cleared mega military modernisation projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore with the focus on 'Make in India'.

The Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar cleared India's bid to buy 145 M-777 howitzer artillery guns from the United States. The guns will be made in India under licensed production. The M777 artillery guns are essentially used in the mountains.

India will also acquire 200 Kamov 228 choppers for the Army and Two Boeing 777-300 aircrafts for VVIP transport and six BrahMos missile system for the Navy. The Airbus-Tata consortium is also set to replace Avro.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday that the plan to acquire mid-air refueller aircraft for the Indian Air Force from Airbus is still on track even as CBI is investigating alleged irregularities in a Rs 8,000 crore deal with the European major for supplying 43 planes to erstwhile Indian Airlines.

He said since the CBI had registered a case against European major Airbus Industries in a matter pertaining to Ministry of Civil Aviation, the agency has been requested to provide "current status in the case."

Aerial tankers enhance the capability of aircraft, including transporters and fighters. The IAF already has some Russian IL-78MK aerial tankers but plans to acquire more to cater to its increasing fleet of aircraft.

For over 25 years the Indian Army has failed to induct a single new artillery gun in its armoury, leading to depletion in its war waging capabilities.

The M777 is a 155mm 39 calibre towed gun and is the world's first 155mm howitzer weighing less than 10000 lbs (4218 kg). The M777 can fire 5 rounds per minute and its firing range is about 30 km maximum. It matches the firepower of current generation 155 mm towed systems at less than half the weight. The howitzer is equipped with a 39-calibre barrel. The muzzle velocity (at Charge 8 super) is 827m/s.

The lighter weight and smaller size allows the M777 to be transported by USMC MV-22 Osprey, CH-47 helicopter or truck with ease, so that it can be moved in and out of the battlefield more quickly than the M198. The smaller size also improves storage and transport efficiency in military warehouses and air/naval transport. The gun crew required is an operational minimum of 5, compared to a previous size of 9.

The M777 is equipped with two wheels. When the M777 is in the firing position, a firing platform is lowered to the ground under the forward part of the carriage and the wheels are raised clear of the ground.