It will equip two of India's artillery regiments.

Inducting the Smerch systems into service will considerably augment the Army's firepower.

It will providing it the capability to neutralise a variety of targets like massed concentration of armour and troop deployment well beyond the range of any of its present artillery systems.

Another contract for 28 Tangushka M1 gun and missile systems for low-level air defence will be signed before the end of 2005-06.

Artillery officers said that Smerch's induction would give a decisive edge over Pakistan, whose multiple rocket systems lack Smrech's extended range.

Signed on New Year's eve after negotiations were completed in March 2005, the Smerch contract includes 28 wheeled-chassis, 12-tube launchers with logistics supply and fire-control vehicles.

Defence Ministry sources said that the Smerch contract was divided into three stages over as many years, with deliveries to be completed some time in early 2008.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin later this year with the arrival of launchers and 'basic' rockets. This will be followed by the arrival of more advanced version launchers and the guided rockets.

The Smerch version the Indian Army is acquiring is capable of firing six types of rockets to a maximum range of 70 km, including several with a cassette warhead.

This is some 30 km further than the range of the 155mm Howitzers the Army is currently using.

The cassette warheads are capable of carrying a variety of ordnance, which includes cumulative and fragmentation elements like self-homing anti-tank elements or mines, which can be devastating in a battle.

The two systems will arm two artillery regiments with four platforms being kept in reserve.