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| BAE Systems M777 Howitzer (File Photo) |
By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
NEW DELHI — The Indian government has announced that the purchase of 145 ultra light howitzer artillery guns from the US is not being withheld, despite a three-year delay since clearance was granted to buy the guns from the US subsidiary of BAE Systems.
Anonymous complaints to the Defence Ministry regarding the process have delayed finalizing the contract, officials said.
In August, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the Indian Parliament, “Various anonymous complaints regarding alleged irregularities in the procurement of ultra light howitzer guns have been received. The main issues raised in these complaints relate to technical parameters, cost effectiveness and economic viability of the gun.”
Defence Ministry sources said a Technical Oversight Committee set up by the MoD has since cleared the procurement.
Read the full story at DefenseNews