SUPPLY OF FSAPDS
LOK SABHA
The Army has segregated
88,000 rounds of 125 mm FSAPDS (Fin Stabilised Armour Penetrating
Discarding Sabot) hybrid ammunition as unserviceable. The segregated
ammunition is the hybrid ammunition of Russian and Defence Research
& Development Organisation (DRDO) design. The manufacture
of hybrid version has since been discontinued because of occurrence
of burning debris inside the fighting compartment of the tank
and loosening of projectile from the cartridge case. The present
manufacture by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is as per indigenous'
design only. Since recommencement of production in June 2001,
OFB has supplied more than 1,30,000 rounds of FSAPDS ammunition.
The ammunition meets all the quality parameters and laid down
acceptance criteria.
Earlier, during operation
Parakram, Army had taken up a case for import of the ammunition
on emergent basis in order to make up the stocks deficiency arising
on account of 88,000 rounds which were segregated as unserviceable.
A contract for 20,000 rounds ex-Israel has been signed on September
3, 2003 by Ministry of Defence in order to partially meet the
deficiency which remains inspite of supply of OFB. After accounting
for the receipt from OFB & ex-Israel, the deficiency for this
ammunition, on March 31, 2003 was 3,47,193 rounds.
A task force has
been set up to examine utilization/rectification of the 88,000
rounds of hybrid ammunition supplied by OFB earlier.
This information
was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written
reply to Shri Ramjee Manjhi and Shrl Vinay Kumar Sorake in Lok
Sabha today.
