CANBERRA, Australia, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Australian Defense Forces are to receive 19 additional M777A2 howitzers manufactured in the United States at a cost of about $71.8 million.
The purchase was confirmed this week by Defense Minister Stephen Smith and Minister for Defense Materiel Jason Clare.
The lightweight, towed 155mm guns will comprise two artillery batteries and bring the military's number of M777 batteries to six.
The gun, manufactured by BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems division, is produced in Mississippi. It has a titanium and aluminum alloy structure and can be transported by Chinook helicopter and C130 aircraft. The gun's firing rate is five rounds per minute.
The Australian government had previously planned to acquire self-propelled howitzers but opted instead for towed artillery last May.
"The use of the M777 Lightweight Towed Howitzers by U.S. forces strengthens interoperability with our alliance partner," the Ministry of Defense said. "There are also significant efficiencies in sustainment and training through the fielding of a single fleet of howitzers.
