India’s Sigma Advanced Systems has secured a $104.9-million order from an unnamed North American customer to manufacture and supply 147,000 155mm base-bleed artillery shell bodies.
The contract will be executed over the next six to 12 months, the Hyderabad-based firm said.
Base-bleed technology involves fitting a gas-generating unit at the rear of a shell to reduce base drag during flight, extending the projectile’s range.
Manufacturers say the technology can increase range by roughly 15–30 percent while remaining compatible with existing 155mm howitzers, providing a cost-effective way for militaries to enhance artillery reach.
Demand for such ammunition has surged amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which have depleted NATO and allied stockpiles and prompted governments to expand ammunition production and long-range fire capabilities.
Boosts Position as Global Defense Supplier
Sigma said the order marks its move into advanced artillery ammunition after securing contracts for 155mm fuzes and M107 shell bodies. The contract is expected to boost revenue and margins while strengthening its position as a global defense supplier.
“Defense manufacturing is ultimately built on trust, earned through consistent execution, uncompromising quality, and the ability to scale complex programmes,” Sigma Advanced Systems Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Sunil Kalidindi said.
“Such contracts reflect the confidence global customers place in Sigma’s manufacturing capabilities and reinforce our ambition to become a long-term partner to leading defense organizations across global markets,” he added.
