China has reacted to India's deployment of US made M777 Ultra Light Howitzers on the
Line of Actual Control (LAC), where the two nations have been locked in a military standoff
since May last year.
Responding to a question from Russia's TASS news agency, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
Hua Chunying accused India of pursuing "forward policy" and said that China "opposes any arms
race".
Hua said, "The Indian side has long pursued the "forward policy" and illegally crossed
the LAC to encroach on China's territory, which is the root cause of tension in the
China-India border situation,"
She added further "China opposes any arms race in the disputed border areas for the
purpose of competition over control.
We have always been firm in safeguarding national territorial sovereignty and security, and
committed to peace and stability in the China-India border areas".
In this video Defense Updates analyzes why the Indian Army's US origin M777 Howitzers
is making China nervous?
Let's get into the details.
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The Chinese statement came after news reports indicated that India had deployed three regiments
of M 777 howitzers on the LAC each of which consists of 18 guns.
India had signed a deal with the US in 2016 for 145 M777 howitzers.
Under the deal worth $737 million (Rs 5000 crore), 20 guns were to be delivered by manufacturer
BAE Systems while the remaining were to be assembled in India.
As per reports, almost half of the 145 guns contracted for have been delivered.
Viewers may note that the relationship between India and China has gone downhill in the last
2-3 years.
On 15th June 2019, Indian & Chinese soldiers clashed in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley
along LAC or Line of Actual Control between India & China.
Both India & China had suffered significant casualties.
Though multiple talks between the two countries have taken place at different levels since
then, tensions have been simmering.
The M777 is designed with weight & size in mind.
It is lighter than any other 155 mm howitzer.
It is smaller and 42% lighter, at under 4,100 kg or 9,000 lb, than the M 198 it replaces.
Most of the weight reduction is due to the use of titanium.
The lighter weight and smaller size allow the M777 to be transported by the C-17 Globemaster
& C130J Super Hercules as well as CH-47 Chinook helicopter and trucks with ease.
India already has the C-17, C130J aircraft & CH47 Chinook.
Its maximum towed road speed is 88 kph or 55 mph and the towed cross-country speed is
50 kph or 31 mph.
This mobility factor is one of the main reasons, India selected this gun as this will allow
India to quickly deploy lethal firepower in the mountain regions on the border with China.
The gun uses mainly 2 types of shells:
1.
Standard M 107 projectile that can be fired up to 25 km or 15.5 miles
2.
M 982 Excalibur extended range guided artillery shell that can be fired up to 40 km or 25
miles.
It also has GPS guidance for improved accuracy, the circular error probable is of 5 to 20
meters and, according to its manufacturer Raytheon.
Initial combat experience with Excalibur in Iraq in the summer of 2007 was highly successful,
with 92% of rounds falling within 4 meters or 13 ft of their targets.
Its performance was so impressive that the U.S. Army planned to increase production to
150 rounds per month from the previous 18 rounds per month
Both the type of shells are available to India.
Manned by a crew of 5, M777 can fire 2 to a maximum of 5 shells per minute.
It is fitted with the General Dynamics Armament System’s, Towed Artillery Digitization (TAD)
system.
The TAD digital fire control system provides onboard ballistic computation, navigation,
pointing and self-location, providing greater accuracy and faster reaction times.
The TAD system also includes a laser ignition system, electric drives for the howitzer's
traverse, and elevation and a powered projectile rammer.
China has changed its stance in recent times and has been very antagonistic in its posturing.
Lately, China has made more enemies than friends because of its hostile moves.
The clashes with India are a result of China's belligerent maneuvering with the intention
of land grab.
New Delhi has been accommodating in nature when it comes to Beijing's sensibilities on
several matters, but things have changed now.
The trust factor is gone and India is taking no chances when it comes to border security.
M777 fits right into the scenario.
It is an excellent weapon for use in a mountainous region like the Line of Actual Control as
it can be airlifted.
The accurate firing capability especially with the Excalibur shell makes it a very effective
artillery piece.
In case of any Chinese move, the guns are expected to play a crucial role and will surely
be a major headache for China.