In a landmark move for the defense sector, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with U.S.-based AM General to supply advanced cannons to the United States. This partnership highlights the growing defense collaboration between India and the U.S. and strengthens KSSL’s role as a global exporter of indigenous artillery systems, munitions, and mobility solutions.
KSSL, a prominent player in India’s defense industry, has built a reputation for its focus on research and development. The company designs and manufactures cutting-edge weapon platforms and off-road protected mobility solutions, exporting them to international markets. This success has positioned India as a reliable hub for defense manufacturing.
At the IDEX event in Abu Dhabi, Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd., expressed pride in the partnership. He said, “Supplying made-in-India defense systems to the U.S. is a groundbreaking achievement. KSSL is honored to be the first Indian company to provide cannons to the U.S. This agreement reflects the trust global leaders like AM General have in our capabilities.”
AM General, a global leader in military vehicle production, is actively pursuing next-generation artillery solutions. The company sees significant potential in this collaboration. John Chadbourne, Executive Vice President of AM General, noted that the LoI with KSSL is a crucial step toward delivering Advanced Mobile Artillery Capabilities to the U.S. military.
This partnership follows recent India-U.S. defense talks, underscoring the deepening strategic ties between the two nations. It also highlights India’s growing role as a trusted supplier of advanced weaponry worldwide. The collaboration between KSSL and AM General demonstrates India’s ability to develop and export sophisticated artillery systems, further enhancing international defense cooperation.
Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), KSSL’s parent company, is a multinational firm specializing in high-performance, safety-critical components for industries such as defense, aerospace, automotive, and energy. With operations in five countries, BFL combines extensive metallurgical expertise with a full-service supply chain, offering end-to-end solutions from design to manufacturing and testing.
AM General is renowned for its military and commercial vehicles, including the iconic HUMVEE series, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle A2 (JLTV A2), and the next-generation HUMVEE Saber light tactical truck. The company is also a pioneer in soft recoil technology, which improves the agility and protection of mobile artillery platforms.
Mandus Group LLC, a key partner in this initiative, is a leader in artillery solutions, logistics, and support. The company holds intellectual property for advanced recoil technology and develops Soft Recoil-Based mobile weapon platforms, offering innovative solutions for modern warfare.
This agreement between KSSL and AM General marks a significant milestone in India-U.S. defense cooperation. It reinforces India’s capabilities in advanced artillery manufacturing and contributes to global efforts to modernize defense systems.
