November 29, 2001

LOK SABHA

'33'

AMMUNITION PRODUCTION

        The defects in barrels manufactured for T-72 tanks have been noticed although indigenous manufacture of 125mm gun barrels for T-72 tanks has been established in ordnance factories in accordance with the technology regime of the collaborators (erstwhile Soviet Union) and under the supervision of specialists of the collaborators. The deviations in the critical heat treatment schedule were made in consultation with the approval of the collaborators and the same recorded in the form of a protocol between Ordnance Factory Board and collaborators.

        Consequent upon failure of some of the barrels, investigations were taken up in association with the Russian specialists which is being further pursued by constituting an Expert Committee comprising of specialists from Director General Quality Assurance, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd which is continuing intensive studies. Measures for salvaging 559 barrels (manufactured with deviated heat treatment process) withdrawn from active usage are also being studied.

        The design of the 122 mm Grad Rockets developed by DRDO has proven to be marginal and as such production had to be suspended leading to blocked inventory to the tune of Rs 18 crore. Details have been furnished to DRDO who have been conducting investigations and trials to make best use of the available inventory, but trials have not been conclusive.

        An internal Board of inquiry constituted by OFB on the blocked inventories has concluded that the factories had taken due care before stocking these items and avoiding any further addition to the inventory after the production was suspended. The non-utilisation of the existing inventory took place due to drastic change in qualitative requirement suddenly demanded by the Army.

        The 105 mm FSAPDS ammunition was developed by DRDO and its production began only after successful user trials. There has been rejection beyond permissible limit due to marginal design. The blocked inventory is to the tune of Rs. 22.98 crore. The High Alloy Penetrating Project (HAPP), Trichy is exploring the possibility of utilising aluminium alloy lots for 125 mm FSAPDS to reduce the financial repercussions.

        This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Chandra Vijay Singh in Lok Sabha today.