Hyderabad: Defence manufacturer Sigma Advanced Systems Ltd has secured an export order worth $104.9 million (around Rs 1,013 crore) from a North American customer to manufacture and supply 147,000 units of 155mm base bleed artillery shell bodies, the company said on Monday. The order is scheduled to be executed over the next six to 12 months.

The Hyderabad-based company said the contract marks its entry into manufacturing more advanced base bleed artillery shells, after previously securing export orders for 155mm fuzes and M107 artillery shell bodies.

Base bleed shells are designed to extend the range of artillery systems by reducing aerodynamic drag during flight through a gas-generating unit at the rear of the projectile, while remaining compatible with existing 155mm artillery platforms.

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The company said the order comes amid rising global demand for extended-range artillery ammunition as countries increase investments in defence modernisation and ammunition stockpiling.

Sigma said the contract is expected to improve its profitability and strengthen its position in the global defence manufacturing supply chain by adding a reference programme for future export opportunities.