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What's Hot- Analysis of recent happenings |
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INDIAN
ARMY'S QUEST FOR TANKS AND T-90 IS THEIR CHOICE |
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Indian Army is woefully in need of augmenting its Armoured Corps with new
tanks. The Army placed its bets on the ARJUN and 124 are in trial service,
but there is widespread criticism by the CAG on delays and cost over-runs.
The ARJUN has potential but it has failed some track and firing trials, is
over weight and under powered. These lacunae cannot be wished away and
time is money. The Army needs tanks to augment and maintain its ORBAT. The
top brass has hunted around for options which were short listed to the T
72 upgrade which Shri Deve Gowda supports and the T90 which Shri I K
Gugral supports and the T 80s from Ukraine which may not be available
easily as Pakistan has purchased 300 from them. The Army's spotlight has
fallen on the T90 which may
not equal the American MIAI Abrams or the French LeClerc or the British
Challenger, but is a good light tank suited for the present Indian
scenario. India Defence Consultants did a comparative study to try to
appreciate what Jane's India correspondent, Raul Bedi reported in Asian
Age on 10 May, in a front page story denigrating the tank, alluding to
some senior army personnel for their undue support for it and enquiring
what the hurry was all about. He has never worn uniform and will never appreciate that speed in military decisions is better than procrastination. As in law they say justice delayed is justice denied. The T 90 tank is light, cost effective and capable, hence for the time being appears to be most suitable for swift induction. A chart is reproduced below along with approximate costs. Lobbies do develop when a billion dollar deal is in the making. We trust our men in uniform to do the right thing when they fight for us, let us allow them the same leeway and trust them in selection of equipment. The propriety of costs and other considerations are better left to bureaucrats and politicians. This is the overall message IDC wishes to convey. Nitpicking in the media will not help, but professional evaluations will. Response from surfers of our site will be welcome and posted.
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