rohitvats wrote:Karan M wrote:A 100 T-90s would have bought BPJs and NVGs for regiments. But hey, those parade ground pieces which don't even work are more important. Talk about misplaced priorities.
That is a specious argument...do you know the percentage of tanks which suffer from TI issue during ops? 10%, 20%, 30%?
Hardly specious.. just stating the brutal truth.
As regards percentages..try 100% if the TIs were used as others use them in their frontline MBTs. Yes, that's what happens when you get a badly designed system which doesn't fit into the tank its shoehorned in. The only way the IA is reducing defect incidences is by changing its operational methods, i.e. avoid usage of TI in high heat conditions during the day, for extended periods of time. Even the displays were not ruggedized and have been replaced by local items. But the quest for an internal cooling system continues to get around the limitations currently.
And what with Tank versus BPJ argument? Would it hold if IA had ordered 100 Arjun tanks instead of T-90?
A few 100 Arjuns for the "core" plus deep upgrades of the T-72s with ruggedized systems may have been much better than this boondoggle.
Further, perusal of media reports tells me that the issue of BPJ has been stuck in bureaucratic quagmire and not exactly because of lack of funds. Or, misplaced priorities, as you call them.
Bureaucratic quagmire in which IA's broken procurement systems play a huge role.
FYI
http://164.100.47.134/lsscommittee/Defe ... ence_3.pdf
The AoN for procurement of 1,86,138 Bullet Proof Jackets was accorded by
the DAC in Oct 2009. The RFP was retracted due to GSQR related issues
in Dec 2011. The General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) was
subsequently amended and a fresh RFP was issued in Dec 2012. After
acceptance of Technical Evaluation Report and validation of the velocities
achieved by various types of ammunition at Terminal Ballistic Research Lab
(TBRL) Chandigarh, the Trials of the Bullet Proof Jackets are to commence
shortly.
Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJ) are procured on the basis of the requirements of
the Army and this is an ongoing process. Further in the light of increased
threat perception in counter terrorist operations, a need was felt to review the
GSQR of BPJs and the same has been revised accordingly. The on-going
procurement case is on the basis of the revised GSQRs.
These jackets are available in different configurations and provide different
levels of protection. These have been designed to
ensure proper fitting to enable the wearer to perform his operational tasks
without any hindrance as per Qualitative Requirement (QRs) given. The BPJs
under procurement are available in three sizes with varying minimum SAP
& HAP sizes and weights. As per tentative costs, they are more exp
ensive than the older BPJs. The developed countries like the USA and the
UK use a variety of Bullet Proof Jackets depending on respective operat
ional requirements. The BPJs under procurement for the Indian Army conform
to latest technology in this field.
So late ask, and as usual years wasted due to flawed GSQRs.
Unlike NVGs these are not even as import restricted to the same extent and it was not necessary for local TOT in the short term (Kevlar/Dyneema etc is anyhow from DuPont etc which our local firms fashion into the BPJs).
Anyways, if you think I am being "uncharitable" viz the misplaced priorities, its anything but given the far harsher commentary I have heard from gents involved in the acquisition process and how such things were pushed through.
http://saiindia.gov.in/english/home/our ... /chap2.pdf
There is a huge focus in the establishment of big-ticket items over the more crucial day to day stuff. Examples are legion.
Did you know for instance, the TIs imported initially were unusable because the number of chargers/battery packs was insufficient? EME rigged up local replacements.
Basically whole IA procurement system has mess.
For NVs, pvt sector firms have had options available to bypass BELs inability to get latest TOT. They note that even with BELs pull, they can get initial urgent orders for specific units for short term (eg Alpha got TISAS for T-72). But no orders were placed in decent number & no urgency from IA side too. Answers from all sides are non specific.