By Rohit Srivastava

The United States on Wednesday approved sales of thirteen naval guns to India. The purchase will cost over USD one billion to India, said an official statement.

“The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DGCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 19, 2019,” the statement said.

“The Government of India has requested to buy up to thirteen (13) MK 45 5 inch/62 caliber (MOD 4) naval guns and three thousand five hundred (3,500) D349 Projectile, 5”/54 MK 92 MOD 1 Ammunition,” it added.

The purchase contract would also include other ammunition, spare parts, personnel training and equipment training, publications and technical data, transportation, technical assistance and other related logistics support.

 The BAE Systems, the prime contractor, will manufacture guns at its Louisville, Kentucky, plant. The proposed sale does not include any offset obligations. 

With a range of around 36 km, the bow-mounted gun will equip Indian Navy’s surface combatant ships for anti-ship, anti-surface role.

The Guns System

According to the product brochure, the 5-inch (127mm) 62-caliber Mk 45 Mod 4 Naval Gun System from BAE Systems is in U.S. Navy service worldwide and is ready to significantly enhance Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) and overall mission performance.

The combat-proven Mk 45 Naval Gun provides ships with an effective weapon for anti-surface, strike, fire support, and anti-air warfare missions.

The gun is currently operational with US Navy’s DDG 81 and is being forward-fit to DDG 51 Class destroyers and the fleets of South Korea, Japan and Denmark.