New Delhi, Feb 13: Army has orderded fresh trials for the estimated Rs 30 billion deal for acquisition of the upgraded 155MM tracked artillery saying the previous two trials did not meet the requirement. The three major shortlisted bidders Swedish Weapons Systems, South African state owned Denel company and the Israeli Soltam have been asked to undertake fresh trials next month of their artillery guns, Army officials said. India, in a major move to bolster army's firepower is bidding to buy 400 155MM guns with an upgraded range of 52 km and capable of firing the fifth generation munitions charges.
Army existing Bofors FH 77 155MM guns have only a range of 39 kms.
Top army officials said the bidders had been asked to undertake fresh trials with night vision devices for the guns.
Army had undertaken two rounds of trials for these guns in 2002 in the Rajasthan desert and the second in 2003 the high altitude areas of eastern Sikkim.
Sources said this was an unprecedented step as normally in any new induction of weapons system, the vendors only go in for single round of trials. Bureau Report