I have come across this article which briefly explains the current scenario of the Indian army's relationship with Artillery. Many over the Globe advocate for Make Love and Not War. Altough War has been and will be inevitable, i guess after reading this article one may think decision makers in India take this line seriously. Take for eg the Augusta Westland Chopper Case Scam which has been floating around the corner.
Many of such cases come and go. I got a chance to hear Josy Joseph and Siddharth Bhatia editors and journalist of newspapers talk about their experience in Journalism. As per them many of the stories are buried alive fearing defamation suits. Many have to go through quite a hassle to get the real story out and it has to be tailor made accordingly from time to time.
In early 2013, an Indian national parliamentary investigation began into allegations of bribery and corruption involving several senior officials and a helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland surrounding the purchase of a new fleet of helicopters. The scandal has been referred to as the Chopper scam or Chopper gate by elements of the media and popular press.
Talking about India's relationship with Artillery i found few points interesting from this article which has a connection to the current story. In short it is Bribes that share a past with the History of Indian Artillery and its relevance to date.
1. Artillery proved its lethality without crossing the LOC on October 29, 2016. Artillery guns issued by Bofors 7FH - 77B made such a thing happen. One may think of military strength after reading this line. Altough Bofors scam has a dark history which connects Indian Artillery to date.
2. Swedish Bofors AB was accused of paying 64 crores to Indian middleman in the year 1986 to swing its contract. Bofors scandal topled Rajiv Gandhi government in 2 years.
3. Bofors contract of 1.2 billion dollars was Indias largest defense deals in its history.Light of attainment of the defense contract via bribes got it blacklisted.
4. Plans of military modernization began in the year 2006 and subsequently corruption stalked the headlines again. This time it was gunmakers from Singapore. South Africa, Germany and Israel that got blacklisted as they tried the same route as Bofors to get the contract.
5.The movie Rang De Basanti Higlighted this topic in its own way. It will be 30 years now since the Bofors case in 1986. Over the period the country is able to come up with its very own version of the artillery gun Dhanush in the year 2010. Dhanush will replace the existing Bofors by the next decade. Apart from the Make in India moment with Dhanush , mordernisation plan in Indian artillery has taken 30 years to usher in a new dawn after a couple of defense seals signed,
6. Series of scams, scandals and new pet project of Modernization of Indian Military with 50 K crore armor is the next big thing. As per modernisation it has plans to introduce 2,700 Howitzers from 400 or few in 1986 acquired from Bofors. New artillery will equip 235 regiments with 18 guns in each.
7. Goal is to see modernization plan come in full effect by 2027.
All one can think is so far things have been good in paper and will be. One needs to think if such a thing can be ever possible with its past always coming to haunt. Will they really be able to exorcise the ghost is a thing to see and not read.
Bofors and new Era of Indian artillery from now on ..............
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