Defence forces begin hunt for Tatra truck replacements

[IND151]

Against the backdrop of a freeze on procurement of Tatra trucks, the Armed Forces have started looking for alternative vehicles to equip them with their missile systems.

In view of Defence Ministry’s decision to put on hold the procurement of Tatra trucks pending the CBI probe into allegations of bribery by former Army Chief Gen V K Singh, several key missile projects of the Army and the Air Force have been held up.

The armed forces are looking at trucks being offered by manufacturers from Russia and Belarus including the Volat trucks being offered by a Belarusian firm, defence sources told PTI here today.

Recently, a meeting under Director General (Acquisition) of the Defence Ministry was held with all stakeholders to discuss the issue, they said.

Due to ban on Tatras, several projects including the procurement of land-based version of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos for the IAF and the Army remained stalled along with projects to supply Pinaka missile regiments to the land forces.

If the trucks offered by these firms are accepted, they would be subjected to field trials by the forces and integrated with the missile systems to be put on them.

More than 7,000 Tatra trucks are in service with the armed forces and after the controversy came to light, the Services are also facing issues with their maintenance and repair.

In March 2012, Gen V K Singh had levelled allegations that he was offered a Rs 14 crore bribe by a retired Lt Gen to clear a file related to the procurement of more than 600 Tatra trucks.

After the allegations, Defence Minister A K Antony ordered a CBI probe into it to verify the charges levelled by the former chief and procurement of Tatras was put on hold.

Defence forces begin hunt for Tatra truck replacements | idrw.org

 

[Markus]

I always thought that Tatas and Mahindras made good military trucks.

 

[veekysingh]

TATA OR M&M not hv anything to offer?

 

[trinity]

In March 2012, Gen V K Singh had levelled allegations that he was offered a Rs 14 crore bribe by a retired Lt Gen to clear a file related to the procurement of more than 600 Tatra trucks.



Take a good look....remember how the govt tried to malign the good general;s name? And now they act on his shocking revelation. Damn sad we completely miss the main issue and are talk about what trucks can be used to replace this problem. Sad, no wonder so many girls are being raped. Its not just the govt but the ppl are not motivated for change. At least not enough.

 

[The A-5]

I always thought that Tatas and Mahindras made good military trucks.

TATA OR M&M not hv anything to offer?

The entire article is basically a misreportation by stupid journos.

1. The problem is not about replacing existing Tatra trucks - that wont happen until 2025 or so.

2. The requirement is not for trucks to mount Pinakas, BrahMos or Prahaar - they can
all be mounted on different variants of indigenous Tata trucks like LPTA-3238 (8x8) and
LPTA-5252 (12x12). In fact, its already been decided that Tata LPTA-series trucks will
be used to carry missiles like Prahaar.

3. The real requirement is for intermediate/long range ballistic missile-carrying
12x12, 16x16 trucks meant to carry the the canister-launched Agni-IV and Agni-V
long-range missiles. For such needs Tatras or existing Tata/Ashok Leyland models are insufficient.

4. The Belarusian (or Russian) company is the likely contender here to supply the designs
and production know-how of the said TELs, which will then be made in-house by a private
Indian manufacturer. China also bought the designs of its IRBM/ICBM-carriers from Belarus
many years ago. Trucks like these -



TATA & ASHOK LEYLAND at the other hand make real good trucks for the military,,
please google "Tata 8x8" and "Ashok Leyland FAT", & "Ashok Leyland Super Stallion"

 

[IND151]

^^ thanks for info

 

[trinity]

The entire article is basically a misreportation by stupid journos.

1. The problem is not about replacing existing Tatra trucks - that wont happen until 2025 or so.

2. The requirement is not for trucks to mount Pinakas, BrahMos or Prahaar - they can
all be mounted on different variants of indigenous Tata trucks like LPTA-3238 (8x8) and
LPTA-5252 (12x12). In fact, its already been decided that Tata LPTA-series trucks will
be used to carry missiles like Prahaar.

3. The real requirement is for intermediate/long range ballistic missile-carrying
12x12, 16x16 trucks meant to carry the the canister-launched Agni-IV and Agni-V
long-range missiles. For such needs Tatras or existing Tata/Ashok Leyland models are insufficient.

4. The Belarusian (or Russian) company is the likely contender here to supply the designs
and production know-how of the said TELs, which will then be made in-house by a private
Indian manufacturer. China also bought the designs of its IRBM/ICBM-carriers from Belarus
many years ago. Trucks like these -



TATA & ASHOK LEYLAND at the other hand make real good trucks for the military,,
please google "Tata 8x8" and "Ashok Leyland FAT", & "Ashok Leyland Super Stallion"

But the problem remains that corrupt practices is what allowed for us to purchase more trucks just like more tanks?