For Armenia, India is becoming the leading weapon supplier
In the latest development, Armenia is expected to be supplied with the Bharat Forge 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer from India in a contract worth 155.5 million USD
Bharat Forge Limited is an Indian multinational company
For several years, Bharat Forge became a renowned producer of artillery systems
According to Army Recognition, India's new self-propelled howitzer, designated 155-BR
is built on a 4x4 light truck chassis, with high mobility, suitable for mountainous terrain
The system was first introduced at the DefExpo India 2020 defense show
However, until now, the Indian Army's purchase of the 155-BR self-propelled howitzer has not been announced
so Armenia, apparently, acted as the debut customer
The 155-BR is the world's only 155mm artillery system mounted on a 4×4 truck configuration
The main weapon designated as the TS-20, based on the 155-mm light towed howitzer ULH developed by KSSL
which is a frank imitation of the well-known 155-mm light towed howitzer BAE Systems M777
The length of the self-propelled gun when folded is 9.4 m, 2.65 m wide and 3.16 m high
The ammunition load is 18 shots with five charges for each projectile
The time to bring the vehicle into combat position is 1.5 minutes during the day and 2 minutes at night
There is information that the 155-BR is capable of continuous fire with a rate of fire of 42 rounds in 60 minutes
In high-intensity firing mode, the rate of fire is 12 rounds in three minutes and the first three rounds allegedly in 30 seconds
A modern fire control system has been installed
The maximum elevation angle of the gun is 72 degrees, and firing is possible in sectors of 25 degrees from the centre line
The current contract for the purchase of 155-mm self-propelled howitzers became the third known significant Armenian defence order in India
In September, Armenia signed a contract worth more than $ 250 million
for the purchase in India of 214- mm Pinaka multiple launch rocket systems and rockets for them, anti-tank missile systems and various ammunition
And at the beginning of 2020, Armenia signed a contract worth about $40 million for the purchase of four Indian ground-based radar stations
for detecting artillery positions Swathi Weapon Locating Radar