 "BAE picks Mahindra to make Howitzer in India")
BAE Systems has selected Mahindra Group as its business partner for the proposed in-country assembly, integration & test (AIT) facility for the M777 Ultra Lightweight Howitzer. India and the US are in discussions for a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of 145 M777A2 LW155 howitzers for the Indian Army. BAE Systems looks forward to working with Mahindra in the coming weeks to finalise details of this AIT facility and to negotiate the terms of its contractual arrangement.
In 2015, the company developed and submitted a US Government-supported proposal offering a higher degree of indigenisation 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.
Dr Joe Senftle, vice president & general manager, weapon systems, BAE Systems Inc, said, “As a founding partner of defence manufacturing in India, BAE Systems is pleased to partner with Mahindra on our offer to develop an assembly, integration and test facility in India. The facility is a fundamental part of the M777 production line. A domestic assembly, integration and test facility will enable the Indian Army to access maintenance, spares and support for the M777 locally. We will continue to support the two Governments to progress to contract agreement so that we may begin the process of ‘Make in India’ for M777.”
S P Shukla, group president, Mahindra Defence & Aerospace, Mahindra Group, added, “Mahindra and BAE Systems share the same values and common vision towards 'Make in India'. BAE Systems is one of the largest defence companies globally and we could not have a better partner. M777 will give our Defence Forces a much needed operational advantage and an access to state of art technology. Mahindra M777 facility will also ensure that the life cycle support is available locally thereby enhancing operational availability of the guns.”
In 2015, the company developed and submitted a US Government-supported proposal offering a higher degree of indigenisation 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.
Dr Joe Senftle, vice president & general manager, weapon systems, BAE Systems Inc, said, “As a founding partner of defence manufacturing in India, BAE Systems is pleased to partner with Mahindra on our offer to develop an assembly, integration and test facility in India. The facility is a fundamental part of the M777 production line. A domestic assembly, integration and test facility will enable the Indian Army to access maintenance, spares and support for the M777 locally. We will continue to support the two Governments to progress to contract agreement so that we may begin the process of ‘Make in India’ for M777.”
S P Shukla, group president, Mahindra Defence & Aerospace, Mahindra Group, added, “Mahindra and BAE Systems share the same values and common vision towards 'Make in India'. BAE Systems is one of the largest defence companies globally and we could not have a better partner. M777 will give our Defence Forces a much needed operational advantage and an access to state of art technology. Mahindra M777 facility will also ensure that the life cycle support is available locally thereby enhancing operational availability of the guns.”