| Last week
India's Telegraph newspaper reported that the Defense Ministry
of India issued two tenders for the supply of 155/52 caliber
artillery systems, both truck mounted and self propelled guns
(SPG).
The new programs are expected to include the familiar bidders
– BAE Systems (Bofors) from Sweden and Soltam from Israel,
as well as several newcomers, including K-9 of South Korea and,
most probably, BAE Systems offering the Paladin M109 for the
SP version. Denel of South Africa has been excluded from the
bid.
Another bidder expected to appear is Kerametal of Slovakia,
(a division of Rheinmetall), offering its Zuzana howitzer. The
Indian army is planning to buy 180 SPGs. For the wheeled gun
program, India is interested in buying up to 220 systems and
is expected to consider the FH-77B
from Bofors, Atmos 2000
from Soltam and Caesar
from Nexter (formerly Giat).
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