10-19-2011, 11:33 PM
The delay in defence procurements is indeed a matter of serious concern. It all started with the Bofor guns. As an aftereffect in almost every case of major procurements the decision making process has slowed down. In fact, no one wants to take a decision as he or she is afraid of a CBI probe.So the best way out is to continue with field trials followed by price negotiation and at the final stage to make a reference to a special committee.
This whole process has become counter productive. Today there is intense competition amongst the defence equipment suppliers. The more prolonged a deal , the more opportunity for the various players to influence the decision makers. In a number of recent cases, it will be observed that the deal had to be Called off at the final stage, as some kind of payoff or other kind of underhand dealing has come to light. The rival suppliers often plant stories in the media , trying to run down a particular product that may have been short listed by a committee of experts after prolonged field trials and other type of negotiations which may have taken several years to complete.
Take the case of Hawk jet trainers or most recently the scrapping of the maga helicopter when it was at its final stage of implementation. It is well know that all three wings of the Armed Forces are badly in need of replacements for the old Chetak and Cheethas. A fresh bidding process has started and it will not only cause delay but obviously there will be escalation in price.
It is high time that the decision makers both in the Government as well as in the Parliament should have a detailed discussion to set up a procurement machinery that can speed up matters, while ensuring that there is no scope for kick backs.
This whole process has become counter productive. Today there is intense competition amongst the defence equipment suppliers. The more prolonged a deal , the more opportunity for the various players to influence the decision makers. In a number of recent cases, it will be observed that the deal had to be Called off at the final stage, as some kind of payoff or other kind of underhand dealing has come to light. The rival suppliers often plant stories in the media , trying to run down a particular product that may have been short listed by a committee of experts after prolonged field trials and other type of negotiations which may have taken several years to complete.
Take the case of Hawk jet trainers or most recently the scrapping of the maga helicopter when it was at its final stage of implementation. It is well know that all three wings of the Armed Forces are badly in need of replacements for the old Chetak and Cheethas. A fresh bidding process has started and it will not only cause delay but obviously there will be escalation in price.
It is high time that the decision makers both in the Government as well as in the Parliament should have a detailed discussion to set up a procurement machinery that can speed up matters, while ensuring that there is no scope for kick backs.