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Guns hit, NSC for review on blacklisted firms (A ray of hope)

angeldemon_007

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Nov 29, 2010
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Alarm bells are ringing after revelations that the Army’s gun systems are performing well below par because technology transfer is stuck due to blacklisting of defence vendors. The government has called for a major policy review, said sources.
The key worry is over the upgraded 130-mm guns, 180 of which have been inducted across nine regiments. These are firing with a range almost 15 km lower than expected. Reason: the absence of the “bimodular charge system” which was meant to be produced in India in collaboration with Israeli and South African entitites which are now blacklisted. The absence of this charge system has also stalled the ammunition upgrade for the around 400 Bofors guns.

A committee, serviced by the National Security Council Secretariat, is being formed to look into whether a system of penalties can be adopted to punish vendors — accused of payoffs — rather than ban them. In fact, sources said, this suggestion first came from the Central Vigilance Commission last year.

The matter was discussed at a meeting of the National Security Council headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and including Defence Minister A K Antony.

Upon upgradation, which essentially meant mounting a new 155-mm barrel on the old 130-mm gun, their range was to increase from about 27 km to 39 km in the plains. A vital element was the bimodular charge system which serves like a propellant for the ammunition.

In the absence of the same, these upgraded guns are unable to fire beyond 24 km. This, incidentally, is shorter than the 27-km range of the original 130-mm guns.

The bimodular charge system was also meant to improve the range of Bofors guns to around 45-48 km from 30-35 km.

Meanwhile, China is quietly reaching out to the very vendors India has blacklisted. China’s NORINCO is said to be making efforts with South Africa’s Denel to manufacture 155-mm guns. Pakistan is also in talks with the company for even missiles. China has also gone the extra mile to revive military ties with Israel after a 10-year gap.

Guns hit, NSC for review on blacklisted firms - Indian Express
 
agreed bureaucrats need to stay far away from military and defense related things retired military personnel (mainly officers) should be encouraged to joint the defense ministry and get preference over bureaucrats AK Antony is a good DM but i'd rather see someone like JJ Singh or PV Naik be the defense minister
 
agreed bureaucrats need to stay far away from military and defense related things retired military personnel (mainly officers) should be encouraged to joint the defense ministry and get preference over bureaucrats AK Antony is a good DM but i'd rather see someone like JJ Singh or PV Naik be the defense minister


Yea I think AK Anthony would be better suited to an Anti corruption position that wields immense power to actually change the status quo on political corruption. I know it may not happened, but I wish Modi took over that seat. His Guju skills would get a deal on the best tech there is lol. On a serious note, if Congress did that approach and actually looked at most qualifed candidate like MMS, then it be great for the country. I think Modi would analyze and dissect the problems and hiccups in the defence industry and implement effective change.
 
agreed bureaucrats need to stay far away from military and defense related things retired military personnel (mainly officers) should be encouraged to joint the defense ministry and get preference over bureaucrats AK Antony is a good DM but i'd rather see someone like JJ Singh or PV Naik be the defense minister
Why retired military personnel ? Ministry of defense should be filled with 3 star ranked armed forces officials rather than bureaucrats and politicians. I am not in favor of retired ones because they are not always up to date with the armed forces requirements but you can always utilize them anywhere and i think these people should actually think about entering the politics...
 
Even though Bureaucratic system is lethargic, its the best we got..Appointing generals at the helm will not be a wise idea..
Visit any CLAWS seminar to understand this..
 

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