Manufacturing components with an Indian partner for the proposed $700-million initial gun order of 145 M777 howitzers is set to benefit 40 Inidan Defense firms.It is focused on localised defence production. Talk with corporates like L&T, Punj Lloyd, Ordnance Factory Board, Tata Power, Kalyani Group, Mahindra Group and others are ongoing. Emphasis is mainly on State-owned defence public sector undertakings and medium, small, and micro enterprises in the defence arena. This deal will involve technology transfer in India and ensure capability in technical skills.

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