The Ministry of Defence’s annual defence report on
Monday countered the Army Chief General VK Singh’s leaked letter that
portrayed a dismal state of the force’s preparedness and presented a
rather rosy picture of the modernization programmes of the Indian Army.
“Contract for procurement of Akash Missile System was concluded in the last financial year. Actions for up gradation of Self Propelled Air Defence Gun Missile System, Schilka Gun System and L70 guns are also in progress,” the Defence Ministry added.
While
contending that India wants “peaceful” relations with all neighbours,
including China, “concurrently necessary development of infrastructure
and military preparedness to include force modernization continues to
meet present and future security challenges”.
The
report for the year 2011-12 said that the modernization process for the
all the arms of the army – armoured, infantry, artillery, air defence,
and army aviation are in full swing with many deals in final stages.
The
Army Chief had written a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on
March 12, bringing out the chinks in the force’s armour by underlining
the obsolete weapons and shortage of ammunition. The confidential letter
was leaked to the media sparking a furore in the Parliament.
Armoured
Corps - The Army Chief had said that the force suffer critical gaps in
night fighting and surveillance capabilities. Also its armoured
regiments were short of certain critical ammunition. The Defence
Ministry report says that “removing night blindness of tanks, equipping
them with the modern fire control systems and providing them with better
power packs is being focused upon”. Efforts are also on to “provide an
active defence suit to tanks” to enable detection and neutralization of
incoming threats.
On the tank
ammunition front, the Defence Ministry said that a contract for 16,000
rounds of tanks ammunition was signed with M/s Rosoboronexport, Russia
in December 2010. “The contract became effective in March 2011 and the
complete consignment is likely to be delivered by March 2012,” the
Ministry report added.
Artillery –
This has been a critically grey area for the Army and the General has
been flagging repeatedly that the force inducted its last gun over 25
years ago. The Defence Ministry has contended that the procurement of
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Battle Management System to enhance
surveillance are in “advanced stages”.
According
to the Ministry, procurement of Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers is
in very advanced stages. However, the report is silent on the impact of
banning four foreign artillery firms on the Army’s artillery
acquisition programme. In fact, the report said: “Schemes for
procurement of 155 mm wheeled and 155 mm Ultra Light Howitzers were
progressing well”. Procurement of one regiment of BrahMos supersonic
cruise missiles is also in progress.
Infantry
– To increase the lethality and mobility of the foot soldiers, the
programmes to procure lighter and better assault rifles, bullet proof
jackets, ballistic helmets have been in the offing for long. The
Ministry assures that the contract will materialize soon.
Army
Aviation – The Indian Army has been working towards replacing its
ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters of 1970’s vintage for the
maintenance of high altitude forward posts. But the cancellation of the
tender for 197 helicopters after it was awarded to Eurocopter in 1997
had pushed back the modernization by over a decade.
However,
the defence ministry said: “Procurement action for replacement of
existing reconnaissance and surveillance helicopter with modern
helicopter with better capabilities is in progress.”
Army
Air Defence – The Army Chief had contended that 97 percent of its air
defence meant to protect important army installations was obsolete and
is in dire need of overhaul. To counter this, the Defence Ministry said
that the “major strides” were being taken to upgrade the gun and missile
systems.
“Contract for procurement of Akash Missile System was concluded in the last financial year. Actions for up gradation of Self Propelled Air Defence Gun Missile System, Schilka Gun System and L70 guns are also in progress,” the Defence Ministry added.
"in Progress", "In advanced stages" etc are phrases that the Montgolfier brothers could have used in their balloon. Let us remember it is coming from the same Bureaucracy that gave us 1962!
ReplyDeletequite rightly said... the biggest threat to indias security is neither china or pakistan but our own MOD. These guys cant tell the difference between a barrel and butt.
Deletesince last 20years indian army has not upgraded or purchased new weapons be it Army Air Defence,Army Aviation ,Artillery guns,infantry,which are really obsolete of russian origin & is in dire need of fresh deployment by the MOD.
ReplyDeleteArmy shud have the best of highend weapons which shud be procured from western firms since our defence ministers is not in favour of privatizing the defence sector inorder to fill its pockets at the cost of security of the nation.
2 or 3 regiments of deployed brahmos is not going to counter china or pakistan Mr Anthony we need need 2000 missiles atleast on each side of the borders to safe gaurd our motherland INDIA.
Babu dominated MOD is known to be obstructionist, overbearing and tactless with no strategic vision. You cannot believe in anything it says.
ReplyDeleteI understand MoD has to be blamed but Indian Army procurement or Acquisition wing is no saint as well. They are the one's to be blamed to stall or delay indigenization programs. Look at the experience of Arjun tank, inspite of beating T-90 tanks left right and center in trials, what is the quantity of Arjun ordered? it still stands at the initial order of 126 tanks which is being gradually inducted whereas 1000 of T-90's are ordered and being inducted. Countries like US have supported their indigenization efforts with evolving requirements whereas our Army expects ferrari as the version one. I hold both MoD and Army responsible for this current situation.
ReplyDeleteTHE INDIAN ARMY IS BEING DEFANGED BY THE SAME BRAHMINS WHO GOT INDIANS SLAUGHTERD AT THE HANDS OF MOHAMMED GAZNI
ReplyDeleteAND HIS LASHKER OF FEW HUNDRED WELL EQUIPPED SOLDERS. THE BRAHMINS PRAYERS AND MANTRAS DID NOT HELP . IT WILL NOT HELP TODAY. ONLY A PROFESSIONAL WELL TRAINED, EQUIPPED ,INTELLIGANTLY RECRUITED,PAID AND HANDSOMELY PENSIONED .OFFICERCORP JAWANS, WILL PROTECT THE COUNTRY. FORM 2TRILLION DOLLARS ECONOMY TO 8 TRILLION ECONOMY INDIA HAS TO MAKE 3PERCENT INVESTMENT IN THE ARMED FORCES. A POORLY PAID EQUIPPED DISGRUNTLED FORCE IS A RECEIPE FOR DISASTER. THE LEARNED PARLIAMENTARIANS HAVE TO MAKE ACHOICE ON BEHALF OF THE TEAMING MILLIONS STILL HUNGARY WITHOUT FOOD CLOTHING SHELTER HOUSING SANITATION, INFRASTRUCTURE.
WAR CLOUDS ARE ON THE HORIZON COME 2014 THE FULL FURY FROM AFPAK BORDER WILL TURN TOWARDS KASHMIR. THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY WILL CLOSE SOON . TIME FOR ANTHONY AND HIS MALAYLEE BABUS OF MOD TO WORK FAST AND MAKE THE DIFFERNCE