Article Posted on : - Jun 12, 2009

File photo of lightweight XM-198 Howitzer

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Army Friday said that the blacklisting of a Singaporean firm by the Defence Ministry recently will "delay" its plans to acquire the ultra-light howitzers for its artillery.

"Till the time the CBI is able to carry out detailed investigation, there will be a delay. To that extent, it will affect the acquisition of ultra light howitzers," Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor said here at a function after inducting the Shakti Artillery Combat, Command and Control System (ACCCS) into the force.

The firm, Singapore Technologies, was one of the seven defence equipment manufacturing companies which were blacklisted by the Defence Ministry after they were allegedly found involved in wrong doings.

The Singaporean firm was the only vendor offering around 150 152mm/52 calibre ultra light howitzers to meet the requirements of the Army.

Referring to ACCCS, Kapoor said the new system will help the artillery improve its lethality in the battle field.The system has been developed and produced for the Army by the Bharat Electronics Limited, DRDO and the DG (Information Systems) of the Army.