NEW DELHI: A shortage of ammunition, missiles and spare parts has forced the Indian Army to cut down on the purchase of expensive items such as rocket launchers and anti-tanks weaponry, according to a report by India Today.
The military’s own estimates suggest that in order to make up for the 15-20 per cent shortage, even the proposed purchase cut-down will not be enough. Such a move is expected to save between INR600 and INR800 crores over the next three financial years.
The Indian Army, Airforce and Navy had been required by the Indian government to be prepared for a 40-day war but the shortage of funds necessitated the requirement to be cut down to an intense 10-day war.
MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems) systems are among those the army has deemed expensive, but the exact details of weapons have not been revealed by the Indian paper.
The paper also reports that current inventory is insufficient for a 10-day war and that the military commanders have been asked to avoid purchasing to save costs.
“The Army commanders will also consider whether they should altogether stop buying spares for a certain type of air defence missile and certain type of high-mobility vehicles to transport machinery, which are considered to be vintage,” the paper reported.
