India’s artillery modernisation has been stuck due to scam scares ever since the Bofors scandal but Pakistan has gone ahead, equipping its army with the latest guns that now threaten to give it an edge over the Indian Army.
While India has not received even a single new artillery gun in the last two decades, Pakistan recently received a batch of 67 self-propelled artillery guns from the US using War against Terror funds granted by Washington.
Latest United Nations data reveal that delivery of the M-109 A5 self-propelled artillery guns took place last year. The guns were transferred under the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme that was granted to Pakistan for the fight against militant groups on its border with Afghanistan.
Experts say these M-109 A5 155 mm howitzers give Pakistan a definite conventional edge over the Indian Army that is years away from induction of similar systems. The most modern guns in the Indian Army are the Bofors that were procured in the 1980s.
Its time to wake up.. I don't see why the finance babus have to interfere with purchase of Guns after the funds have been allocated..as if the MoD officials will end corruption??... THE ARMY WILL KEEP SLEEPING.... Civil Supremacy will pinch hard the next time we go to war (even with Pak).. we will win surely but .. but its that a few more lives will unnecessarily be lost (yes Govt feels its better to save some Money than Lives )..why dont senior officers project that.. once u have given us money... u better keep shut.. keep bowing down.. and one day you will find yourself at the babu's feet.. shame on us..
ReplyDelete@pramod
ReplyDeleteYes i agree with you. there is an urgent need for the govt of the day to understand that delay is occurring for reasons which lack total logic, are more political and bureaucratic.
In the bargain its the poor soldier who may ve to pay with his life.
Let us hope things will improve fast.