New Delhi, January 14, 2008 (DefenceIndia News Service)

India on Monday invited request for proposal for the procurement of 140 ultra-light Howitzer guns under its Rs 10,000 crore artillery modernisation programme.

This is going to be the biggest artillery guns procurement by the Indian Army after the induction of the controversial Bofors guns deal that had resulted in political turmoil in 1986.

The Army is now planning to expedite the process of procurement artillery and is likely to issue fresh global tenders for procurement of the artillery ~ first for the 155 mm 52 caliber guns and then 155 advanced guns.

Announcing the procurement on the eve of the 60th Army Day, the Army chief, General Deepak Kapoor, said: "Even as I am interacting with you, the RFP (request for proposal) for procurement of the ultra-light Howitzer guns has been issued."

"The Army also plans to issue fresh global tenders for procurement of the 155mm 52 caliber guns shortly and for 155 advanced guns in a month or so," General Kapoor said.

Ultra-light Howitzers are preferred by most developed countries since it can be transported to battle zones by air, unlike conventional heavy artillery guns.

In 2001, India had floated a global tender for acquisition of 400 towed 155 mm 52-caliber artillery guns, valued upwards of $1.5 billion. This process was to be followed by licensed production in India.

But earlier this year, it was scrapped after an unprecedented four rounds of trials in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006, during which the Bofors gun (now owned by BAe Systems) performed better than the guns of Israeli firm Soltam and the now-blacklisted South African Denel company.

Statesman News Service