Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL), a Bharat Forge subsidiary, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with American automotive and military manufacturer AM General to provide made-in-India advanced artillery cannons in a groundbreaking development for India’s defense industry. Should the contract go through, this will be the first occasion an Indian defense company sells guns for export to the United States.
Revealed during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2025) in Abu Dhabi, the news caused Bharat Forge’s stock to skyrocket by 2.65 percent to a Rs 1,103.95 per share intraday peak on February 20.
Defense Exports: First Time in India’s History
Bharat Forge verified the progression on X, hailing it a “historic first” for an Indian defense company. “This marks the first-ever supply of cannons from an Indian defence manufacturer to the US, a testament to the strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between our two nations,” the company said.
Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge, Baba Kalyani, called the agreement a “groundbreaking achievement.” He said, “We at KSSL are proud to be the first Indian company to supply cannons to the US. This agreement underscores our capabilities and reinforces our mission to be a leading provider of artillery solutions worldwide. It also highlights the trust and confidence global defense leaders like AM General have in our capabilities”
Particulars About the Agreement
Among the terms of their agreement is the cooperative creation of next-generation artillery systems Bharat Forge and AM General. This will cover 105mm and 155mm calibers in both mounted, towed and ultra-light gun systems. The group hopes to provide advanced, highly accurate artillery systems for the military of the United States.
Executive Vice President of AM General, John Chadbourne, highlighted the strategic nature of the transaction. “Your Letter of Intent marks a crucial progression in broadening our strategic collaboration. Given the established of Kalyani Strategic Systems, artillery prowess and our common dedication to creativity, we believe advanced artillery technologies have enormous promise for the US military. We are anxious to investigate this partnership with the Kalyani Group to offer sophisticated mobile artillery capabilities.”