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NEW DELHI: Stung by General V K Singh highlighting "critical" operational gaps in Army's war-fighting capabilities, defence minister A K Antony went on a overdrive on Monday to clear five and 15-year perspective plans of the armed forces hanging fire for long and also tweaked the offsets policy to include technology transfer.
But Antony also directed the 1.13-million strong Army to put its own house in order by
"streamlining its acquisition process in such a manner that accountability can be fixed for slippages" as well as "compress the time taken for technical evaluations and trials".
The trigger, said MoD sources, was that almost 50% of global tenders or RFPs (request for proposals) floated to procure military hardware and software have been "recalled at an advanced stage" because of "faulty GSQRs (general staff qualitative requirements)" or technical specifications drawn up by Army.
The minister also favoured delegation of "more financial powers" to Service HQs, which stands at a paltry Rs 50 crore, "if it can lead to speedier acquisition" of weapon systems and platforms during his meeting with Gen Singh, defence secretary Shashikant Sharma and director-general (acquisitions) Vivek Rae, among others.
There are indications that Antony and Gen Singh have decided to get down to the task of fast-tracking the acquisition process. But Gen Singh's quest for a one-on-one meeting with the PM to ensure "suitable directions are passed to enhance Army's preparedness" may not materialize soon.
The meetings summoned by Antony came in the backdrop of widespread criticism after Gen Singh's confidential letter to the PM that blamed the long-winded arms procurement process and the recalcitrant bureaucracy for the "critical hollowness" in the Army's capabilities, leaked to the media. They included a Defence Acquisitions Council's (DAC) meeting, which was also attended by the other two chiefs Admiral Nirmal Verma and Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne.
While the smaller but much better organized Navy and IAF are gradually marching ahead on their modernization paths, the Army is grappling with its tank regiments being "devoid of critical ammunition to defeat enemy tanks", while existing air defence systems are "97% obsolete" to effectively protect against enemy air attacks.
The chief's letter also said that there are "large scale voids" in essential weaponry as well as critical surveillance and night-fighting capabilities in the over 350 infantry and special forces battalions.
The Army says it needs to "enhance the combat ratio vs. China" and "upgrade the combat edge against Pakistan" as well as have the capability to meet the "collusive threat" in a two-front conflict situation.
While Army's flat-footedness in making its "statement of cases", drafting GSQRs and holding field trials certainly play a role in procurement delays, MoD too cannot escape blame. Around 100 Army procurement projects are currently meandering their way through different stages amid bureaucratic bottlenecks, cumbersome procedures and general apathy.
Experts say while MoD's land systems acquisitions' wing needs to be drastically revamped with more manpower to fast-track inductions, there is also the need to ensure "much greater synergy" within Army HQ between its different "line directorates" and the weapons and equipment directorate.
The DAC meeting later in the day cleared the long-delayed tri-Service Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for 2012-2027, which ranges from acquiring robust space-based warfare capabilities to 42 fighter squadrons for IAF as well as the 12th Defence Plan for 2012-2017.
Earlier LTIPP drafts for 2002-2017 and 2007-2022 had to be junked because they could not be finalized in time. LTIPPs are "broad vision documents" that chart out the technological and other operational requirements of armed forces over the next 15 years but do not have any committed financial support.
The 12th Defence Plan deals in more detail with specific requirements of each individual service. But it will need financial approval from the finance ministry, which has been the thorn in the side in the past.
MoD, for instance, had asked for Rs 4,18,101-crore during the five annual budgets during the 10th Plan period, but got only Rs 3,79,300-crore, of which it was unable to spend Rs 21,167-crore.
With no long-term strategic plans, with requisite budgetary support, to systematically build military capabilities in tune with India's expanding geo-political interests, defence procurements are conducted in an ad-hoc manner in India. Army, Navy and IAF squabble among each other to get a larger pie in annual budgets.
The Army has given an alarming account in its 11th Plan (2007-2012) review, pointing at operational gaps in fields ranging from artillery, aviation, air defence and night-fighting to ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles), PGMs (precision guided munitions) and specialized tank and rifle ammunition.
Holding the "hollowness" in ammunition and equipment is so "critical" that it will require around Rs 41,000 crore "to make up current deficiencies". It's estimated the Army will take over 15 years to achieve its optimum level of operational readiness to defend borders as well as battle militancy in the hinterland.
Antony changes gear, clears long-delayed plans - The Times of India
But Antony also directed the 1.13-million strong Army to put its own house in order by
"streamlining its acquisition process in such a manner that accountability can be fixed for slippages" as well as "compress the time taken for technical evaluations and trials".
The trigger, said MoD sources, was that almost 50% of global tenders or RFPs (request for proposals) floated to procure military hardware and software have been "recalled at an advanced stage" because of "faulty GSQRs (general staff qualitative requirements)" or technical specifications drawn up by Army.
The minister also favoured delegation of "more financial powers" to Service HQs, which stands at a paltry Rs 50 crore, "if it can lead to speedier acquisition" of weapon systems and platforms during his meeting with Gen Singh, defence secretary Shashikant Sharma and director-general (acquisitions) Vivek Rae, among others.
There are indications that Antony and Gen Singh have decided to get down to the task of fast-tracking the acquisition process. But Gen Singh's quest for a one-on-one meeting with the PM to ensure "suitable directions are passed to enhance Army's preparedness" may not materialize soon.
The meetings summoned by Antony came in the backdrop of widespread criticism after Gen Singh's confidential letter to the PM that blamed the long-winded arms procurement process and the recalcitrant bureaucracy for the "critical hollowness" in the Army's capabilities, leaked to the media. They included a Defence Acquisitions Council's (DAC) meeting, which was also attended by the other two chiefs Admiral Nirmal Verma and Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne.
While the smaller but much better organized Navy and IAF are gradually marching ahead on their modernization paths, the Army is grappling with its tank regiments being "devoid of critical ammunition to defeat enemy tanks", while existing air defence systems are "97% obsolete" to effectively protect against enemy air attacks.
The chief's letter also said that there are "large scale voids" in essential weaponry as well as critical surveillance and night-fighting capabilities in the over 350 infantry and special forces battalions.
The Army says it needs to "enhance the combat ratio vs. China" and "upgrade the combat edge against Pakistan" as well as have the capability to meet the "collusive threat" in a two-front conflict situation.
While Army's flat-footedness in making its "statement of cases", drafting GSQRs and holding field trials certainly play a role in procurement delays, MoD too cannot escape blame. Around 100 Army procurement projects are currently meandering their way through different stages amid bureaucratic bottlenecks, cumbersome procedures and general apathy.
Experts say while MoD's land systems acquisitions' wing needs to be drastically revamped with more manpower to fast-track inductions, there is also the need to ensure "much greater synergy" within Army HQ between its different "line directorates" and the weapons and equipment directorate.
The DAC meeting later in the day cleared the long-delayed tri-Service Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for 2012-2027, which ranges from acquiring robust space-based warfare capabilities to 42 fighter squadrons for IAF as well as the 12th Defence Plan for 2012-2017.
Earlier LTIPP drafts for 2002-2017 and 2007-2022 had to be junked because they could not be finalized in time. LTIPPs are "broad vision documents" that chart out the technological and other operational requirements of armed forces over the next 15 years but do not have any committed financial support.
The 12th Defence Plan deals in more detail with specific requirements of each individual service. But it will need financial approval from the finance ministry, which has been the thorn in the side in the past.
MoD, for instance, had asked for Rs 4,18,101-crore during the five annual budgets during the 10th Plan period, but got only Rs 3,79,300-crore, of which it was unable to spend Rs 21,167-crore.
With no long-term strategic plans, with requisite budgetary support, to systematically build military capabilities in tune with India's expanding geo-political interests, defence procurements are conducted in an ad-hoc manner in India. Army, Navy and IAF squabble among each other to get a larger pie in annual budgets.
The Army has given an alarming account in its 11th Plan (2007-2012) review, pointing at operational gaps in fields ranging from artillery, aviation, air defence and night-fighting to ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles), PGMs (precision guided munitions) and specialized tank and rifle ammunition.
Holding the "hollowness" in ammunition and equipment is so "critical" that it will require around Rs 41,000 crore "to make up current deficiencies". It's estimated the Army will take over 15 years to achieve its optimum level of operational readiness to defend borders as well as battle militancy in the hinterland.
Antony changes gear, clears long-delayed plans - The Times of India
