<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]3aa5df66-0d8b-4b5d-9eb0-74c3731c4919?sfvrsn=432e9422_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url("https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_54708-jdw-21049.jpg?sfvrsn=432e9422_2")" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div>
<p class="text-body text-muted small">The 155 mm/39 calibre M777 ultra lightweight howitzer, displayed above undergoing trials with the UK Army, has a maximum range of 24.7 km using unassisted rounds and a sustained rate of fire of 2 rds/min. India and the US are exploring the development of a 155 mm/52 calibre M777 with an extended range. (BAE Systems Landsystems UK)</p>
<p>India and the US are exploring the development of an extended-range, longer barrel variant of the M777 155 mm/39 calibre ultra lightweight howitzer (ULH), manufacturer BAE Systems told <em>Janes</em>.</p>
<p>Ravi Nirgudkar, managing director, BAE Systems – India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, told <em>Janes </em>that<em> “</em> discussions have been held [to develop an enhanced version of M777], and the belief is that we will see them [discussions] continue as both parties [India and the US] recognise the potential benefits that an extended-range variant of the M777 could bring”.</p>
<p>According to Nirgudkar, the enhanced version will likely be equipped with a 155 mm/52 calibre. “It is far too early to speculate on any aspect of the programme, as discussions are still under way,” he added, without delving into technical or range-related details.</p>
<p>However, Nirgudkar said that it “would not make sense” to upgrade the Indian Army’s existing 39 calibre M777 howitzers to the improved 52 calibre M777s across the whole fleet. “The extended-range barrel provides a different capability [compared with existing 39 calibre M777s], albeit with a common logistics footprint,” he said.</p>
<p>“It is envisaged that the extended-range capability could be offered as a possible kit, but the intention was never to offer this as a [39 calibre M777] fleet-wide upgrade,” Nirgudkar added.</p>
Related Posts
Add A Comment