Two of the world's most powerful howitzers will dominate the BAE Systems' presence at DefExpo in Delhi starting Feb 15th. The BAE Systems FH77 B05 towed howitzer, and M777, the ultra light howitzer, will both be part of BAE Systems' biggest ever presence at DefExpo.

BAE Systems will be co-located with Defence Land Systems India, the Mahindra and BAE Systems joint venture company which will soon be up and running.

Andrew Gallagher, President BAE Systems India said:"BAE Systems' commitment to the development of a long term domestic business in India, with a full range of skills and capabilities, is unmatched. We firmly support the Indian Government's aim of procuring 70% of defence equipment domestically and see the establishment of Defence Land Systems India as a major contribution towards this objective."

M777, the world's lightest 155mm howitzer, will grace the BAE Systems stand. Next to the M777, on the Defence Land Systems India stand, will be the FH77 B05. This is the significantly upgraded and more powerful big brother of the FH77 B02 in service with the Indian Army, which performed so admirably during the Kargil conflict.

The BAE Systems FH77 B05 is bidding for the Indian Army requirement for towed 52cal 155mm howitzers. Trials with the India Army are due to start after DefExpo. The new upgraded howitzer, FH77 B05, has all round greater performance including increased range over the 39cal FH77 B02. It is intended that Defence Land Systems India would have a significant and increasing role in the production of FH77 B05, toward the intended goal of Defence Land Systems India becoming an artillery centre of excellence in India.

BAE Systems FH77 BO5 Towed howitzer

The M777 ultra light weight howitzer is now in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process for a possible FMS purchase between the US and Indian Governments. M777 is, by some considerable margin, the lightest 155mm howitzer in the world, and the only one proven in battle. BAE Systems stands ready to support both governments in a possible FMS purchase.

BAE Systems M777 Ultra light howitzer

DefExpo will also see the launch of the MPVI (Mine Protected Vehicle India). A mine protected vehicle specifically designed for Indian conditions - the vehicle will make its first public appearance at the show on Defence Land Systems India's stand. The result of collaboration between Mahindra and BAE Systems, MPVI brings battle proven life saving vehicle protection technology to India in an affordable package, based on an indigenously assembled chassis and drive train. MPVI will be built at Defence Land Systems India's Faridabad manufacturing facility.

The UK's new tactical communications system, Falcon, will also be on display. Falcon will enter service with the British Army and Royal Air Force this year and is the world's first tactical comms system based on an all IP (Internet Protocol) open architecture. FALCON provides secure deployable broadband voice, data and video, delivering the core of Network Enabled Capability. FALCON interoperates with all NATO systems, enabling better information sharing and exploitation, improving military commanders' awareness and decision-making, and ultimately mission success. BAE Systems intends to use elements of what has been produced for Falcon in the bid for the Indian Army's Tactical Communications System programme.

Anjani and BAE Systems recently announced a new partnership that will see the two companies collaborate to produce survivability and protection equipment for soldiers and vehicles in India. Anjani and BAE Systems will be displaying these capabilities on their stands. Anjani is bidding for the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) requirement for 59,000 bullet proof vests. If successful the vests will be produced by Anjani in India using BAE Systems' Tensylon technology. The Tensylon ballistic material, made from high performance polyethylene fibre, provides superior performance and a lighter-weight, cost-effective solution.

DefExpo also sees the India launch of BAE Systems' on-board power management system, which more than doubles the electrical power output of military vehicles to increase mission effectiveness. The system also provides power that can be exported from the vehicle during natural disasters and to support facilities and equipment such as field hospitals, command centres, and water purification systems.