LONDON, JANUARY 27: Celsius, the parent company of Bofors, Sweden, is expected to send the latest prototype of its artillery system to India for extensive fire power and mobility trials in May, Jane's defence weekly reported.``Bofors weapons systems is expected to send the prototype of its 155mm/45 calibre FH-77BD (6X6) self-propelled artillery system to India," the weekly in its latest issue said.According to Defence Minister George Fernandes, Celsius has offered the FH-77BD for field trials on a `no cost, no commitment basis,' but no decision has yet been taken in this regard.Late last year, it was reported that `influential' Indian Army officers favoured purchasing about 300 to 400 of the 6X6 systems.The FH-77BD is a further development of the Bofors' prototype system based on a commercial vme a25C (6X6) articulated all-terrain chassis. On the front unit is fitted a fully enclosed armoured cab for the crew while on the rear unit is the elevating mechanism of the Bofors 155mm fh-77B towed artillery system which normally has a 155 mm/38 calibre ordnance.For the Indian trials, the FH-77BD will be fitted with a Bofors designed and built 155mm/45 calibre barrel which, firing a high explosive extended range full bore base bleed projective, will achieve a range of around 40km, it is probable that any production systems would have a 155mm/52 calibre barrel.The report said the Indian Army has 410FH-77Bs in service which were delivered from 1986 to 1990. Following allegations of corruption, India froze the last two stages of the contract which would have included local production in India. India has recently started to place orders for Bofors for spare parts for the FH-77B.
