NEW DELHI (India): India's defence production authorities handed over the first batch of first five "indigenously-developed" Arjun main battle tanks (MBTs) to the Indian army on August-8.
However, according to diplomatic sources, the Indian army chief has expressed skepticism about combat worthiness and operational mobility of the tank.
The Main Objection
The main objections raised by the army headquarters are that with its excessive weight and width, the Arjun tank has poor operational mobility.
It will not be possible to rapidly move it from one area of operation to another on the existing tank transporters on our rail network."
Secondly, the Arjun weighs 58.5 tonnes. As such, it outweighs the newly-inducted 46.5 tonnes T-90S Russian MBT by 12 tonnes. "Being heavier than the Russian substitute, it is too heavy to transport over most border bridges in India".
Arjun is not only less manoeuvrable, but also suffers from recurring engine and fire-control-systems problems.
Sick Indian Navy's Vice Chief made OSD
In a phenomenal move, Indian Naval Headquarters has made its deputy chief, Vice-Admiral S V Gopalachari, an OSD and attached him with the naval HQ.
Indian Coast Guard Director-General Suresh Mehta would replace him as the new deputy chief of the Indian Navy.
Defence Analysts
According to defence analysts, Vice-Admiral Gopalachari had concealed his illness, though he suffered from serve diabetes and other ailments.
Despite being in "low category" and media's criticism of his frail health, the Naval Headquarters had earlier cleared him for promotion as the flag officer in chief of the Southern Command at Kochi.
Now, Vice-Admiral S Bangara (not he) will take over the command at Kochi.
Analysts wonder whether Indian navy's new chief Admiral Arun Prakash would be to weed out the common malaise of pseudo-fitness from his organization.●
