US Congress Notified, India Close To 1st Artillery Buy Since Bofors Scam

US ARMY PHOTO /  CPT. ANGELA CHIPMAN
Over seven years after it first told the Pentagon that it wanted 145 BAE Systems M777 ultra-light howitzer guns, India may finally be close to a deal with the US government. On August 7, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified US Congress of the possible sale to India, with a cost pegged at $885-million.

After a bumpy and protracted ride, the Indian MoD sent the US government a Letter of Request in November last year.

I hate to say anything until an actual deal is through, but the M777s will be India's first purchase of artillery guns since the 1986 Bofors Scam near permanently shafted all efforts since to acquire howitzers. The Army will be pleased. More details soon.