Seiler To Provide Optical Fire Control Kits For Indian M777A2 Howitzers

Seiler Instrument and Manufacturing was awarded a $15 million contract for procurement of 145 optical fire control kits, and associated spare parts, in support of Indian M777A2 howitzers.

One bid was solicited and one bid received. Work is expected to complete by May 24, 2022, the US Department of Defense said in a statement Thursday.

India had signed a deal with the US for importing the Howitzers for $750 million via a Foreign Military Sale with the US government in December last year.

The Indian defense procurement agency had approved the proposal in June last year. The deal had not progressed since 2012 due to cost issues and because the BAE had not been able to come up with a proposal fully complaint to the offset requirements.

India earlier this month received the first two of 145 M777 ultra-light howitzers. Under the contract, 25 guns will come to India in a fly-away condition (two per month will be delivered), while 120 will be assembled at the proposed assembly integration and test facility for the weapon system in India in partnership with Mahindra Defence, located in Faridabad.