Indigenous assembly of T-90 to start next year: Fernandes

NEW DELHI, NOV. 10. Announcing that an investment of Rs. 3,027 crores was being made to technologically transform the country's ordnance factories, the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, today said India will receive the first batch of 80 frontline Russian T-90 main battle tanks (MBT) next month and that their indigenous assembly would commence next year.

Mr. Fernandes said the huge investment was being invested in ordnance factories for state-of-the-art machinery to build futuristic weapons systems in the Tenth Plan period (2002- 2007).

He said as part of the plan, a new ordnance factory was being set up in Nalanda in Bihar for manufacture of bi- modular propellant charges required for heavy calibre ammunition.

Addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry, Mr. Fernandes said the ordnance factories had registered a growth of 82.5 per cent and the present turnover of Rs. 5,606 crores was expected to go up by ten per cent to Rs. 6,245 crores during 2001-2002.

On the acquisition of the 300 T-90 tanks from Russia, the Minister said the first batch of 80 tanks would be inducted next month. Along with the tanks, the transfer of technology documents will also be made available which would pave the way for indigenous assembly of semi-knocked down or completely knocked down parts of the tank by late next year.

The Minister said the complete indigenous production of the tanks, capable of engaging a target beyond visual sighting, would begin in 2006.

``The ordnance factory board has prepared a perspective plan for modernisation and full automation in close interaction with major indenters'', Mr. Fernandes told the MPs. Improved productivity and capacity utilisation had enabled the board to pass on benefits to the armed forces in the shape of reduction in prices of weapons, he said.

On the export potential of the ordnance factories, the Minister said a ``plan of action'' had been initiated to give impetus for exports which would lay stress on ordnance factories working on economy of scale, optimum capacity and less costs to make Indian weapons systems more competitive abroad.

The Minister of State for Defence Production, Mr. Harin Pathak, the Minister of State for Defence, Mr. U.V. Krishnamraju, and senior officials of the defence, defence production and ordnance factory board were present at the meeting.

No involvement in U.S.-led operations

India today ruled out the possibility of involvement of its armed forces personnel in the U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan, but said it would consider other requests by Washington for logistical facilities in the war against terrorism.

``I want to make it clear that there is no question of involving directly our armed forces in the on-going operations in Afghanistan,'' Mr. Fernandes said.

Admitting that New Delhi had received proposals for logistical support from Washington, he said these related to use of naval and air field facilities but the U.S. has not sought any military assistance beyond this.

``A decision on these has to be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security which could meet only after the return of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, from his foreign tour,'' he said adding that he could not give any firm view as it has to be a decision of national importance.

``We will consider whatever facilities we can provide within our purview,'' he added.

- PTI, UNI

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