A Hyderabad-based defence manufacturer has secured a major export order worth $104.9 million, or roughly ₹1,013 crore, from a North American customer for the supply of next-generation extended-range 155mm base bleed artillery shells.
Sigma Advanced Systems Limited said it will manufacture and supply 1,47,000 units of 155mm base bleed artillery shell bodies under the contract. The order is scheduled to be executed over the next six to 12 months.
The deal comes amid strong global demand for artillery ammunition. According to the company, the order marks Sigma's move towards manufacturing more technologically advanced artillery shells for overseas customers.
The company had previously secured contracts for 155mm fuzes and M107 artillery shell bodies. It is now manufacturing base bleed shells, which involve aerodynamics, energetics, propulsion-related technologies and systems engineering.
According to the company, this progression is part of its strategy to move higher up the artillery ammunition value chain and develop the engineering and manufacturing capabilities sought by global customers.
What makes the 155mm base bleed shells different?
The programme involves the manufacture of precision-engineered artillery projectile casings intended for integration into extended-range ammunition systems.
Conventional artillery projectiles face aerodynamic drag and turbulence behind the shell as they travel through the air, limiting their range. Base bleed ammunition addresses this by using a gas-generating unit at the rear of the projectile. The unit burns during flight and fills the low-pressure area behind the shell, reducing drag.
According to manufacturers, base bleed technology can increase artillery range by approximately 15–30 per cent compared with conventional shells.
Another advantage is that the ammunition remains compatible with existing 155mm artillery platforms, allowing militaries to increase the reach of guns already in service without requiring an entirely new artillery system.
Major boost for Indian defence exports
The North American order also strengthens Sigma's position in the international artillery ammunition supply chain at a time when defence forces in several regions are increasing investment in ammunition stockpiles and extended-range firepower.
“The order comes amid rapidly growing global investment in artillery modernisation, with defence forces across multiple regions prioritising ammunition stockpiling and extended-range fire support capabilities to enhance operational readiness,” a statement from the company read.
The company said its ability to manufacture these precision systems at scale strengthens its position within a global supply chain experiencing sustained demand.
Sigma expects the programme to strengthen its credentials as an export-qualified artillery ammunition manufacturer. The company also expects it to serve as a reference programme as it seeks relationships with more overseas customers and partners.
“Defence manufacturing is ultimately built on trust, earned through consistent execution, uncompromising quality, and the ability to scale complex programmes,” Sigma CEO and Executive Director Sunil Kalidindi said.
He added that such contracts demonstrate the confidence international customers have placed in Sigma's manufacturing capabilities and reinforce its ambition to become a long-term supplier to defence organisations globally.
