India receives approval from the US on sale of 127mm Mk. 45 naval guns

The BAE Systems Mk.45 Mod.4 naval gun system on a US Navy destroyer. Photo c/o Navy Recognition.

The US State Department has confirmed that India has given clearance to allow the sale of thirteen (13) BAE Systems 127mm Mk. 45 Mod. 4 naval gun systems.

The deal will be made under the US Foreign Military Sales (US FMS) program estimated to be worth US$1.021 billion, and will also include 3,500 D349 projectiles, 5”/54cal Mk. 92 Mod. 1 rounds and other assorted munitions, spares, training, and logistics support and transportation.

The guns are expected to be installed on new generation Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) destroyers and Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) frigates being built by Indian shipyards Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers (GRSE) for the Indian Navy (IN). 

Previous warships of the IN used the smaller Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid naval gun system, and the IN required a larger calibre gun for their future class of frontline warships. 


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] The Defense Post