In a significant advancement for India’s artillery capabilities, Bhopal-based SMPP Private Limited has entered a strategic teaming agreement with European defense firm KNDS to develop the KATANA family of precision-guided 155 mm artillery ammunition. This partnership aims to address the Indian Army’s urgent requirement for modern artillery systems under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, enabling local production that enhances operational efficiency and ensures availability amidst global supply chain challenges. The KATANA series includes variants such as Base-Range (BR), Extended-Range (ER), and the laser-guided High-Precision (HP), featuring advanced guidance systems for high accuracy across diverse combat scenarios. The collaboration is expected to culminate in the establishment of a new ammunition facility in Madhya Pradesh by mid-2027, which will initially focus on integrating imported subsystems before transitioning to indigenous manufacturing. This initiative not only promises to lower costs significantly but also positions India to effectively neutralize high-value targets, thereby bolstering national defense capabilities at a critical juncture.