<b>Now several years have passed and nothing has come out of this case. In the process of investigation proceedings Crores of Rs have been spent and now it is time that the chapter needs to be closed. So far the political functionaries have selectively made use of the pending investigation in making out political capital out of the controversy. However, no Government at the Centre in more than a decade had the intention and inclination to proceed in the matter.
One very important fact in the whole episode has been conveniently forgotten, i.e. what has been the performance of the guns. There has so far been no adverse report about the performance of these State of Art guns and they provided excellent firepower during the Kargil conflict. There have been two serious fallouts with grave national security implications as a result of the cutback charges.
Firstly, the Bafor Company was banned from doing any further business with the Indian defense ministry and as such the part of the original contract which envisaged setting up of an ammunition factory for the shells used by these guns in India got cancelled. Even today, after so many years since India procured the guns, we are still dependent on foreign sources for getting ammunition for these guns. The corruption charges brought forward after this deal has slowed down the entire procurement process of equipment for the Defense Forces and this may have long term implications on the on going process of its modernization.
Secondly, during the last few years several heavy field guns have been evaluated for replacement of old field guns of heavy caliber. Unfortunately, in all these tests the new Bafor guns have come out on the top. Although, the company which had earlier has changed hands yet we do not have the courage to take the risk attached to a fresh deal for additional field guns of the same origin. The continued delay in taking decision on this issue has resulted in slowing down the whole procurement process and may cause serious fire power shortage for the forces in future.
Therefore, the time has come to forget the past and move ahead at least in the larger interest of the nation. This whole case revolves round some 65 Crores of Indian Rupees, which is an insignificant amount in a deal of this magnitude in todayâs value.</b>
One very important fact in the whole episode has been conveniently forgotten, i.e. what has been the performance of the guns. There has so far been no adverse report about the performance of these State of Art guns and they provided excellent firepower during the Kargil conflict. There have been two serious fallouts with grave national security implications as a result of the cutback charges.
Firstly, the Bafor Company was banned from doing any further business with the Indian defense ministry and as such the part of the original contract which envisaged setting up of an ammunition factory for the shells used by these guns in India got cancelled. Even today, after so many years since India procured the guns, we are still dependent on foreign sources for getting ammunition for these guns. The corruption charges brought forward after this deal has slowed down the entire procurement process of equipment for the Defense Forces and this may have long term implications on the on going process of its modernization.
Secondly, during the last few years several heavy field guns have been evaluated for replacement of old field guns of heavy caliber. Unfortunately, in all these tests the new Bafor guns have come out on the top. Although, the company which had earlier has changed hands yet we do not have the courage to take the risk attached to a fresh deal for additional field guns of the same origin. The continued delay in taking decision on this issue has resulted in slowing down the whole procurement process and may cause serious fire power shortage for the forces in future.
Therefore, the time has come to forget the past and move ahead at least in the larger interest of the nation. This whole case revolves round some 65 Crores of Indian Rupees, which is an insignificant amount in a deal of this magnitude in todayâs value.</b>