Even UF govt had recommended T-90, says defence ministry

New Delhi, Jan 4: Even as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) could not confirm the charge made by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda regardi...

New Delhi, Jan 4: Even as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) could not confirm the charge made by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda regarding the Cabinet clearance for the purchase of T-90 tanks from Russia, a statement issued today in South Block acknowledged that the tank had only been tested in snow conditions.

The MoD declared today that the previous United Front Government had accorded topmost priority to the tank and the then government had decided to evaluate the tank. A delegation, headed by a Lt. General, currently the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, had gone to evaluate the tank in February, 1998.

The Indian Express had at that time written about the T-90 and the fact that it was yet to enter service in Russia and that the trial was conducted in snow conditions.

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“That is far removed from the climatic conditions under which we are ever likely to operate the tank but then the MoD also wants to display the tank during the coming Republic Day parade,” said an Armoured Corps officer.

The MoD statement said that on receiving various letters, including from Gowda, advocating procurement of the T-72s tanks, the Ministry had asked for comments of Army headquarters, and the same Deputy Chief of Army Staff categorically asserted that “any suggestion that the T-72 is superior to T-90 is incorrect and stems from motivated interests.”