NEW DELHI: Within a month of the Uri attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government plugged loopholes and deficiencies in crucial areas of the country’s defence preparedness. With increasing animosity between India and Pakistan, a high-level Ministry of Defence team was sent to all major defence supplier countries to seek uninterrupted supply of spares and ammunition for the Indian armed forces as the current serviceability rate of India’s military hardware is just 50 per cent, particularly in the Air Force and Navy’s fleet.
Soon after the Uri attack, the three Service chiefs were asked to make a detailed presentation of their preparedness in case of war. In their presentations to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the chiefs made serious observations on non-availability of spares for equipment, which is denting the forces’ combat readiness. Issues of shortage of spares, overhauling and maintenance were reported in combat aircraft, missiles and artillery ammunition. The IAF’s frontline Sukhoi-30 fighter jet’s availability rate (aircraft available for immediate combat) is just over 50 per cent. Out of 272 Sukhois, only 140 combat jets are ready for missions, as the remaining are grounded for repair and maintenance due to delay in supply of spare parts. The scenario is the same for helicopters, missiles and tank ammunition, and the country’s war wastage reserve is down to 10 days, instead of the mandated 40 days.
To address critical serviceability of defence equipment, an empowered group of ministry officials headed by Secretary Defence (Finance) S K Kohli and officials from the Army, IAF and Navy were sent to Russia, the US, Israel and France to sign agreements for uninterrupted supply of military spares and to discuss maintenance and overhauling issues.
“An empowered committee was rushed to countries from where we bought the bulk of our military equipment. Multiple agreements on supply of spares and serviceability issues were signed during the visit. Inclusion of officials from the finance wing helped in signing agreements much faster,” said an officer. Normally, it takes 12-18 months to get spare parts from manufacturers after placing an order.
The armed forces have major issues of spares from Russia for Sukhoi and MiG-29 naval fighter jets and Kamov and Mi-17 helicopters, surface to air missiles, air defence guns and tanks. Russia is estimated to have delivered military equipment worth $45 billion to India, which has more than 60 per cent of equipment in the three service’s inventory.
Israel provides long- and medium-range missiles and France supplies Mirage bombers, armament and artillery ammunition for Indian tanks and the tracked infantry vehicle, BMP.