The British multinational arms, security and aerospace company BAE Systems claims M777 lightweight towed Howitzer, a 155-millimeter system suits the needs Southeast Asian countries.
Michael Salkeld, Regional Director at BAE Systems in an interview with DefenseHere said M777 fires projectiles through a range of 25 kilometers, over 30 kilometers plus with assisted propulsion for the weapons.
Salkeld explained that M777 lightweight towed Howitzer is made of an alloy of titanium and aluminum: “It is the lightest 1.5 caliber system available on the market. And it was designed specifically for a requirement from the U.S. Marine Corps who wanted higher firepower, but with Air Force ability as well. These guns can be slung under a helicopter and transported to and dropped where they are required.”
Salkeld underlined this product could be useful especially in Southeast Asia:
“It is highly maneuverable, entirely deployable. So, in hostile terrains where there are no roads in areas like Southeast Asia, where it's forests canopy, it's ideally suited for this kind of this kind of environment.
Artillery is becoming more important or becoming important again within the inventory of the armed forces. And as I mentioned earlier, you need a capability that you can deploy easily and quickly through difficult terrain. We have a number of customers looking at the system in the region.”
Salkeld said in addition to India , BAE is in talks with Thai military to supply the Royal Thai Army with the M777 howitzers. Discussions over supplying the Thai military with M777 has been going on for almost 5 years but COVID delayed the progress of negotiations according to Salkeld.
Recently, U.S. Army signed an agreement with BAE Systems to acquire M777 howitzers with a limit of $50 million. This agreement restarted the production line of M777, after it was closed as orders from the US army slowed down over the last decade.
