As the Tatra trucks ran into the thick
of storm following allegations of kickbacks being paid to clinch the order of
Indian Army, the Vectra limited - a majority shareholder in Tatra Sipox – has
launched an aggressive public relations campaign to redeem its sullied image.
The new strategy of the Vectra, whose head Ravi Rishi is
facing CBI probe in the Tatra scam, entailed hiring a Public Relations firm in
the capital some 20-25 days back. The otherwise media shy Vectra has also
carried out full and half page advertisements in major daily newspapers underlining
the salient features of the trucks – 7,000 of which are in service with the
Indian Army and several thousands in the US and Israeli Army.
The Tatra trucks are the backbone of the Indian Army as its
whole missile systems and Cold Start Strategy to mobilize troops swiftly is
based on these trucks, with flexible axle – “the only of its kind in the world
for on road and off road application”.
So far unknown to the civilians in the country, this
aggressive campaign dubbing Tatra as “The best in the world” seems to be
hovering around pegging the trucks as the one of its kind and also a key player
in the civilian segment.
Under the new strategy, the defence journalists were also
sent out lengthy note titled “Allegations versus Facts”. Countering the allegations
of over-pricing Vectra said: “Tatra Sipox (UK) sold to BEML (the Public sector
undertaking assembling the trucks for the Indian Army). The price between BEML
and the MoD (Ministry of Defence) is not controlled by Tatra.”
“At no time full trucks were sold to BEML. The parts and
components were as per normal company prices,” Vectra said.
The firm also dismissed the allegations about the trucks
being not indigenized enough as Tatra trucks were still left-hand drive.
“Actually 60 percent of the truck is now indigenized. Furthermore the 4x4 and
6x6 are right hand drive. The 10x10 and 12x12 were specifically designed for
India’s missile program by Tatra. The 8x8 trucks was never made a right hand
drive, because of the small irregular demand cycle by Indian Armed forces would
not have justified the heavy investment needed to change the technical dynamics
of the truck,” contended Vectra.
Defence Ministry officials, refusing to comment on the
procurement of the trucks, said: “There is no reason to doubt the quality of
the trucks. Tatra is the only heavy duty truck in the world with flexible axle,
a requirement laid down by the Army. Tatra has got this technology patented.”
“The US has bought the technology paying huge price and is
now manufacturing the trucks within their country. Now it is for us to decide,
if our requirements are high and we need to buy this technology,” said the
official requesting anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to media.
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