SaiK wrote:our forces normally think on the lines of:
Indian made firang maal!
any counter acting on these lines? then you are bashing the existing deep rooted networks and setup.
I met a serving tanker Lt.Col from a tank regiment in the Western sector recently. We sat in a regiments officers mess lawns shunning beer but drinking sweet milky tea instead. And I brought up the Arjun. Here is the summary:
I: Sir, I want to discuss the Arjun because there seems to be controversy in the news. Why is this sir?
He: No issues, Rahul. Its easy, because, the tank is not suited to our needs.
I: Sir, is the entire tank unsuitable or some aspects?
He: [Pauses now] Logistics are an issue, we can't move it around easily. Its also heavy.
I: Could you please explain sir.
He: When mounted on railcars, the thing just chops signal posts down. Its impossible to move it by rail.
I: I see, sir. So how do you transport it now?
He: By road! How else? And this takes time and is not efficient. As I said, it is a huge logistical issue.
[So far, I was thinking and feeling my way on how far can I and should I take this without upsetting him or breaking rapport. A bit like Tom Cruise before he goes for broke in the court at Anthony Hopkins in a "Few good men"
]
I: I see sir. Sir, you mentioned earlier that Arjun is not suited for our needs and also it is heavy. But was not the Arjun developed to an IA GSQR?
He: [Gives me a look. I can feel he is revisiting whatever opinion/impression he had of me at the beginning of this conversation] Well, we wanted an Indian tank. The Arjun is not indigenous [This is the actual answer in response to my question!]
I: I see sir. Does the Arjun not have any indigenous content?
He: Well,it does [and in response to my probe] say about 50%.
[I decide to go for broke - What the hell!]
I: Sir, What % of the T-90 is indigenous?
He: [There is a thundering silence and I was not going to break it. I had asked a question and I was going to wait until the good Lt.col. answered it. Eventually, to his credit, he does] I don't think there is much if any at all.Maybe, some bits of pieces]
I: Sir, but I have never heard the IA complain about the indigenous content about the T-90. Why?
He: OK. I see the point you are trying to make.
I: Sir, also, based on newspaper reports the Cathrine TI in the T-90 is not up to the mark.Is this not critical equipment and why do we not hear more about this from the IA?
He: See, all new equipment has teething issues and we sort them out. Its a continuous process.
I: Sir, don't you think Arjun's teething issues also will get sorted out the same way as the T-90's.?
He: Does not respond except with an contemplative look. [I can tell he is thinking; what, I don't know]
I: Sir, is there anything good about the Arjun at all?
He: It has a very good suspension, rides well. Its a comfortable tank.
[Till now, I focused on facts. I now decide to go for my closing arguments]
I: Sir, you are an expert and a serving officer and as a layperson with interest in Armour, I can never hope to match your knowledge and experience.
However, its my perception and my opinion, from what I have read over the years that in the past when there was a distinct possibility that Pakistan would acquire the Abrams, the IA floated a GSQR for a western style heavy tank. Now, the Abram's threat no longer exists and it would appear that the enthusiasm for Arjun has waned.
Sir, it would appear, perhaps, wrongly but still, it appears to people on the outside looking inside there is leniency and flexibility shown to an import whereas the Arjun is held to a different benchmark. I can't say if this is true on the inside but that's how it appears from the outside. Its a collaborative positive problem solving "how can we fix this" approach for ia 100% import and a confrontational negative "it does not work approach for the 50% indigenous, using your figures, approach for the Arjun.
Sir, the T-90 may indeed be far better than the Arjun or not, the point as I see it is, it does not do the IA any good to have these perceptions in the civilian space. Times have changed sir, and the average citizen is more aware than perhaps 20-30 years ago. The IA cannot live in a shell anymore, is not insulated from public opinion and needs to have the public on its side.
Whatever, the story of the Arjun, the IA side of the story appears partial to imported products. I am sure sir, the IA is impartial but it also has to been
seen as being impartial. Sir, the IA answers to a civilian government and therefore to the tax payer who funds it all and every tax payer is entitled to ask any questions and s/he through the government deserves a full and complete answer. [Yes, I actually said this].
The Lt.Col. nods his head and we sit in comfortable silence [to his credit]. The sweet milky tea was long over.
He: Well, actually, The Arjun is not that bad. We can put it to use but the logistical issues remain. [Wow and perhaps logistics is really an issue after all.]
I consciously move the conversation to golf and movies and then a short while later we part, I am quite sure, as friends [he gave me his contact details].
They cant even fit an APU because there is no place to put it!
