Larsen and Toubro — through its joint development with Samsung Techwin, South Korea and Nexter Systems, France — has been shortlisted for two defence tenders that involve supply of about 1700 Howitzer guns.
The decision on these tenders is not expected any time soon, say industry watchers.
The guns are 155 mm, 52 caliber guns. In both the systems, L&T has taken the basic design from these firms and indigenised the products.
“We have already fielded two major systems: one tracked gun and one towed gun system,” said MV Kotwal, President-Heavy Engineering, L&T, said. With Samsung Techwin, L&T has developed a desert gun, and is looking to enquire the market potential in other countries as well.
“The summer trials are over. That was the only trial that was required. Samsung never had a desert gun – what we have developed is a gun that has been proven to operate in 52 degrees of temperature in Pokhran,” according to Jayant D Patil, Executive Vice President-Defence and Aerospace, Larsen & Toubro, said.
“We are now looking to go global with Samsung,” said Patil.
For the tender in India, the L&T-Samsung Techwin is competing with a Russian firm.