Platform profile · India · 155 mm/39-calibre ultra-light towed howitzer · Indian Army
M777A2 155 mm Ultra Lightweight Howitzer
OngoingA possible $230 million long-term M777A2 sustainment package was reported to Congress on 2026-05-18.
On 18 May 2026, the United States reported to Congress a possible $230 million long-term M777A2 sustainment sale to India. At the Army Day parade in Jaipur on 15 January 2026, PIB identified M777 among the systems employed in Operation Sindoor, after Indian and US crews had trained together on the gun in Alaska in September 2025. India's programme covers 145 M777A2 guns under a 2016 $737 million Letter of Offer and Acceptance and a 2017 $542 million BAE Systems production contract, with the first systems formally dedicated to service at Devlali in November 2018. Its sub-10,000-pound 155 mm/39-calibre carriage, digital fire control and helicopter-lift compatibility give mountain formations precision fire without dependence on heavy roads. For India, that combination makes the M777 a strategically mobile artillery layer for Himalayan sectors and rapid reinforcement.
Updated 18 May 2026
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Calibre and barrel | 155 mm, 39 calibre ↗ |
| Indian-service variant | M777A2; the basic gun matches the US M777A2 configuration ↗ |
| Weight | Less than 10,000 lb (less than 4,536 kg) ↗ |
| Indian fire-control configuration | India requested a digital fire-control system based on the Canadian-proven configuration ↗ |
| Maximum elevation | +1,275 mils ↗ |
| Minimum elevation | -43 mils ↗ |
| Traverse | 800 mils total, +/-400 mils ↗ |
| Maximum rate of fire | 4 rounds per minute ↗ |
| Sustained rate of fire | 2 rounds per minute ↗ |
| Standard unassisted range | About 15 mi (24 km) ↗ |
| Rocket-assisted range | About 19 mi (30 km) ↗ |
| Excalibur range | Up to 24 mi (39 km) ↗ |
Spec sources: baesystems.com ↗ · army.mil ↗ · cpeae.army.mil ↗ · marines.mil ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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The US administration delivered Congress a certification for a possible $230 million Indian M777A2 long-term sustainment package covering ancillary equipment, spares, repair-and-return support, training, technical assistance and depot capability.
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At the Army Day parade in Jaipur, the Indian Army displayed the M777, and PIB identified it among systems employed during Operation Sindoor.
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The US State Department approved a proposed sale to India of up to 216 Excalibur guided projectiles, which India uses with its M777 howitzers.
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Indian Army and US Army crews conducted partner-crew drills on M777 howitzers at Yukon Training Area, Alaska, during Yudh Abhyas 2025.
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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dedicated the M777A2 to the Indian Army at Devlali Field Firing Ranges; PIB described it as a 155 mm/39-calibre, helicopter-liftable system assembled in India by BAE Systems and Mahindra.
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The US Army's Watervliet Arsenal began work under a $50 million contract to produce 145 M777 cannon assemblies for India.
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BAE Systems received a $542 million US Department of Defense contract to provide 145 M777 howitzers to the Indian Army, with deliveries scheduled to begin in June 2017.
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The US and Indian defence ministries signed a $737 million Letter of Offer and Acceptance for 145 M777A2 howitzers through the Foreign Military Sales process.
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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Indian purchase of 145 M777 howitzers and associated support, then estimated at $647 million.
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