Army invites proposals for ultralight howitzers

“The modernisation of Special Forces is also back on track with the Cabinet Committee on Security giving its clearance for procurement of equipment required for these elite units,” Gen Kapoor said.

Asked about the prospects of surface-to-air Akash missiles, which is currently under trial, he said it still needs to meet some of the requirements.

“The Army did not attend the recent trials. We would expect that once our requirements are properly met, the trials can proceed,” he said.

Admitting a delay in the transfer of technology from Russia for the T-90 tanks, Gen Kapoor said he was hopeful that it would be done soon.

“There is a degree of delay but transfer of technology is a complex process. Sometimes the supplier of technology is not able to explain it properly and at other times the receiver of technology does not understand it well. But in the long run, I am sure this transfer of technology is going to happen,” he said. He said the acquisition of 347 more T-90 tanks had already been approved by the Government.

Talking about the year gone by, Gen Kapoor said, “The Army can look back at its performance in the year gone by with its head held high.”

He also said the situation was better in Jammu and Kashmir with violence level going down by 55 per cent compared to the last year and infiltration was under control.

Asked whether a short-term military service should be made compulsory for everyone in view of the huge shortage of officers in the Indian Army, Gen Kapoor said he doesn’t feel the current situation warranted any such move.