The Defence Ministry today gave its nod for the purchase of 145 Ultra Light Howitzers guns, worth about 750 million dollars from the US. The Defence Acquisition Council, DAC chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar approved this in New Delhi. <br/><br/>Sources said, the procurement of Ultra Light Howitzers will be through the Foreign Military Sales route from the US. While 25 guns will come to India in a fly away condition, the rest will be assembled at the proposed Assembly Integration and Test facility for the weapon system in India in partnership with Mahindra. <br/><br/>India had sent a letter of request to the US government showing interest in buying the guns which will be deployed in high altitude areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh.<br/>During the meeting, the DAC took up 18 proposals including new schemes worth 28 thousand crore rupees for discussion. It also approved bulk production of 18 Dhanush artillery guns. <br/><br/>Another key project that got approval will allow the Navy to issue tenders to build six next generation missile vessels under Buy Indian category for 13 thousand 600 crore rupees. The DAC also noted the satisfactory progress in manufacture of indigenous Dhanush guns. While three guns would be delivered by this month end and three more will be handed over by end of September .