India has signed a deal with South Africa (2004) to purchase up to 280!!!, 155mm Howitzers from Denel - towed and self-propelled. These guns are to be fitted with the new 52 Calibre barrel which with new generation ammunition has ranges in excess of 50kms. The howitzer has on-board storage for 45 projectiles and 50 charges. Semi-automatic projectile loading is carried out using an electronically controlled hydraulic flick-rammer. Two loading chutes are installed at the rear of gun for direct loading from a ground ammunition pile.
