India Signs USD 1.029bln Deal With US For 145 Artillery Guns

India has signed a USD 1.029 billion (or INR 5,000 crore) deal with the US for acquiring 145 M777 ultra-light howitzers.

The Indian Defence Ministry confirmed the news, saying in a statement that it was the first major deal signed by New Delhi for artillery guns since the Bofors scandal in 1980s. According to the statement, India will deploy the howitzers near its borders with China.

The ministry issued the statement soon after senior officials of the two countries signed the 'Letter of Acceptance' in New Delhi on November 30. A top Defence Ministry official said that India, with the signing of Letter of Acceptance, formalised the contract with America for these guns.

Earlier this week, the visiting American officials thanked India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for clearing the deal. The US officials, who arrived in New Delhi to attend the 15th India-US...