Army lacks ammunition to defeat the enemy | General VK Singh to PM

New Delhi: Army Chief General VK Singh had raised the sorry state of infrastructure in the armed forces in the country in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dated March 12. General Singh had written that the Army's tank regiments lack ammunition to defeat the enemy, the air defence is almost obsolete and the infantry is falling short of critical weapons.

He underlined that the country's security might be at stake due to the critical shortage of ammunition. The letter, sent to the Prime Minister's Office, had asked Manmohan Singh to 'pass suitable directions to enhance the preparedness of the Army'. The explosive letter comes amidst claims made by the Army Chief that he was offered bribe to clear a deal for sub-standard vehicles in the Army.

General Singh wrote that the Army's entire tank fleet was devoid of critical ammunition to defeat enemy tanks. He also added that the air defence was '97 per cent obsolete and it doesn't give the deemed confidence to protect from the air', the infantry had 'deficiencies of crew served weapon' and lacks 'night fighting' capabilities and that the Elite Special Forces were 'woefully short of essential weapons'.

General Singh also pointed out that the 'hollowness' in the system is a manifestation of the procedures and processing time for procurements as well as legal impediments by vendors.

General Singh also mentioned that the work quality was poor and there was a 'lack of urgency at all levels' on matters of national security.

This is a worry for General Singh as he was entrusted with preparing a comprehensive transformation study to modernise the Army some years ago. As the GOC-in-C (Eastern Command), Singh, then a lieutenant general, had prepared a detailed report on modernising the force.

General Singh feels such shortcomings erode the Army's preparedness considering two "inimical neighbours" and the "reality of large land borders".

Demanding explanation from the government on the letter, Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) leader Balbir Punj said, "The government must clarify about this letter. The government must convince the people of this country that they have sufficient ammunition."

Speaking on the letter in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Defence Minister AK Antony said, "Regarding the letter written by the Army Chief to the Prime Minister, I am aware of that letter. The government will respond to it at an appropriate time."

Meanwhile, raising questions on the Army Chief's conduct, JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari said, "It's a matter of concern. The fact that he has written to the PM shows he is trying to clarify his position. The Army Chief's conduct is now doubtful. It seems that he is lying. Now that he has got involved in the controversy he is trying to pass the buck."

Government sources said the letter can be seen as a breach of protocol. "As the Army Chief he should have kept it limited to the Defence Minister, there was no need to drag it to the PMO. This can be seen as breach of protocol," sources said.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun its investigations into the bribery allegations. The agency is expected to meet General Singh when he returns from an official tour in Srinagar on Friday. A tape of the alleged incident whose veracity is to be determined is currently with the agency.

The CBI as part of its probe is also expected to look into all aspects of the Tatra Vectra deal as part of the investigation including its complex shareholding pattern. The MoD is expected to hand over documents in this regard later this week.

Posted in: General