Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of Bharat Forge Ltd, India, plans to enter into a multi-party agreement with leading United States defense companies, AM General and Mandus Group LLC, to explore the co-development and co-production of next-generation artillery gun platforms. As the battlefield changes with near peer adversaries, there is increasing demand for modern light artillery systems with enhanced firepower, precision strike, tactical mobility, and command & control capabilities. This collaboration is targeted to address the requirement of modern armies of the world in an evolving combat scenario equipping them with compact, robust, light weight, ruggedized, mobile, all-weather, all-terrain 105mm and 155mm next generation artillery gun platforms. These next-gen artillery platforms will feature disruptive technology, responsive and survivable fires, transportability, added lethality, and will optimize crew size due to less logistics requirements. The 105-mm and 155-mm howitzer to be offered will deliver firepower and mobility while remaining lightweight and modular.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Government of India’s Make in India program, Baba Kalyani expressed that, “Bharat Forge is rapidly emerging as a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced artillery platforms for the world markets. This strategic collaboration aims to co-develop and co-produce the most versatile and innovative weapon systems.”
“AM General and Mandus Group are looking forward to exploring this collaboration with Kalyani and Bharat Forge to ultimately deliver advanced mobile artillery capabilities. A partnership like this is a testament to our company’s commitment to be responsive and dynamic as the battlefield evolves,” said John Chadbourne, AM General EVP for Business Development.
General and Mr Jitendra Patil, Head of Artillery Systems, Bharat Forge Ltd. (Photo by AM General)
The Garuda 105 Go Anywhere Gun (Mobile Artillery System) is a lightweight, modular, high-performance howitzer system developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL). Usually, 105mm guns weigh close to 3tons but KSSL has managed to bring it down to 900kgs which is remarkable achievement and shows their expertise in metallurgy. The Hawkeye Soft Recoil Technology (SRT) 105mm Weapon System is a lightweight, modular, high-performance howitzer designed to be integrated with many types of combat transportation. The Hawkeye will be a superior alternative to existing weapon systems such as the 106mm Recoilless Rifle, 120mm Mortar, and other 105mm artillery systems due to its low cost precision strike capability. The Humvee 2-CT Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer System (MHS) — a 105mm Howitzer mounted on a HUMVEE 2-CT™ (2-door cargo truck) — is the lightest weight, most highly maneuverable self-propelled howitzer in the world.
AM General engineers, manufactures, and supports specialized vehicles for military and commercial customers. With a well-rounded product portfolio, which includes the iconic HUMVEE vehicles, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle A2 (JLTV A2), the next-generation HUMVEE Saber light tactical truck that has enhanced levels of protection, and the revolutionary soft recoil technology for mobile platforms, AM General strives to offer continuous improvement that is mission ready and future driven.
Mandus Group LLC is well known industry leaders in Artillery Solutions, Logistic, Support and repair, who holds the IP of highly innovative and unique advanced recoil technology and are leading developer of revolutionary Soft Recoil Based mobile weapon platform.
Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) is a global provider of high-performance, innovative, safety & critical components and solutions to various sectors including Automotive, Railways, Defence, Construction & Mining, Aerospace, Marine and Oil & Gas. In its Defence vertical, the Group under the name of Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL), has focused on areas like Artillery systems, Protected Vehicles, Armoured Vehicles Upgrade, Ammunition, Missiles and Air Defence solutions, Defence Electronics and Aerospace. KSSL has developed over 10 different platforms for Artillery in the categories of Mounted Gun Systems, Towed Gun Systems & Ultra-Light gun Systems for 155mm and 105mm with various calibers.
