India invites proposals for 2.5 billion dollar artillery contract

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

NEW DELHI (AFP) — India on Monday said it had invited proposals from global weapons manufacturers for the purchase of 140 ultra-light artillery guns as part of a 2.5-billion-dollar programme to upgrade its ageing military hardware.

Indian army chief Deepak Kapoor said global tenders for 260 other guns would be issued sometime this month as part of the costly but essential modernisation.

Earlier, defence ministry officials quoting General Kapoor had said the 140 guns would cost 2.5 billion dollars but later amended the figures to say that cost was for all 400 pieces.

"The RFP (request for proposals) for the procurement of 140 ultra-light howitzer guns has been issued," General Kapoor told reporters on the sidelines of a military function.

"The army...