BAE Systems has teamed up with automobile firm Mahindra to build a new facility in India that will be used to assemble, integrate and test the BAE-built M777Â howitzers.
BAE Systems’ move is in line with India’s plan to procure 145 M777A2 LW155 artillery guns for the Indian army through a foreign military sales contract with the U.S. government, BAEÂ said Wednesday.
India and the U.S. started negotiations on the FMS agreement in 2015.
Joe Senftle, vice president and general manager of weapon systems at BAE Systems’ U.S. subsidiary, said the proposed facility aims to reflect BAE’s involvement in the Make in India program and will work to provide the Indian army access to M777 spares and related maintenance support.
M777 is a 155-millimeter weapon system that weighs less than 10,000 pounds and works to provide artillery fire support for service personnel.