Howitzer jinx replays with another pullout

NEW DELHI: The Army’s longdelayed artillery modernisation plan remains jinxed. BAE Systems, a leading contender, has pulled out of the fresh 155mm towed artillery guns competition, which has already been scrapped four times in the past.

“The new RFP (request for proposal) includes technical and performance relaxations that allow less capable weapon systems to enter the competition. This significantly reduces the competitive advantage our gun, FH-77 B05, derives from its greater capability,’’ said a BAE Systems statement. “Therefore, the decision not to bid is a commercial one based on the high investment costs required to participate in a complex artillery competition of this nature, where the win probability has been reduced,’’ it added.

The previous trials for the towed guns, incidentally, were scrapped when only the BAE gun was left in the competition after the other firm, Singapore Technology Kinetics, was named in the alleged Ordnance Factory Board scam.

The Army wants to buy 400 155mm/52-calibre towed artillery guns, followed by indigenous manufacture of another 1,180 howitzers after transfer of technology under a Rs 12,000 crore project.