New Delhi (NVI): The state of the art fully automatic MK45 naval gun system, which the US recently approved for sale to India, will take the Indian Navy’s lethal capabilities to a significantly higher level by lending it a Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) range of more than 36 km range.
The US State Department on November 20 approved the sale of these naval guns and other equipment worth $1 billion to India to substantially enhance its firepower against warships and aircraft and for shore bombardment. The sale includes 13 MK 45 5 inch/62 caliber (MOD 4) naval guns.
The MK 45 system of guns are currently deployed in the US Navy on their fleet of Ticonderoga class cruisers and Arleigh Burke class destroyers. The gun system is an upgraded version with a 62 caliber barrel, strengthened gun and mount subsystems, advanced control system enhancements, greater range and firepower, a reduced signature and low maintenance gun shield.
MK 45 MOD 4 guns system, which increases firing range by 50%, is a light-weight version of the MK 42 5 inch/54 caliber gun mount exceptionally engage surface and air targets.
The two main elements of the NSFS system are the Extended Range Guided Munition (ERGM) and the modified MK 45 (MOD 4) gun mount.
Other countries that have been sold the MOD 4 naval guns are Japan, Australia and South Korea.
–nad
