Defence Ministry of India has given the green light for the purchase of U.S. M777 155mm howitzers 12510162.

As a part of the deal, 25 howitzers will be delivered off-the-shelf from the US and the remaining 120 will be assembled in India by Mahindra.

In 2015, BAE Systems developed and submitted a US Government-supported proposal offering a higher degree of indigenization on the M777 weapon system. The highlight of this is the commitment to establish AIT capabilities in India in partnership with a domestic Indian company.

The selection follows a detailed assessment of Mahindra’s ability to fulfill the requirements and provide the best value to the M777 India program, and in the future, grow its capability as a strategic partner for BAE Systems in India.

The M777 155mm howitzer has been developed by BAE Systems Land Systems (RO Defence, formerly the Armaments Group of Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd) at Barrow-in-Furness.

The M777 is the world's first 155mm Howitzer weighing less than 10000 lbs (4,218 kg). Selected by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army as their next generation Medium Force weapon, designated M777, the gun has undergone an engineering and manufacturing development program in the U.S leading to an initial contract for 94 guns in November 2002.