Ex-Army officer under MoD lens
The defence ministry is learnt to be probing allegations of irregularity involving a top retired Army official in the `3,000 crore deal to procure 145 ultra-light howitzers from the US.
The probe comes after the defence ministry received an anonymous letter alleging irregularity on part of a top Army officer who has since retired. The letter was received while the negotiation process for the guns began and the deal is currently at an advanced stage.
The M-777 howitzers are being sought through the foreign military sales route for deployment in the mountainous boundaries with China and Pakistan. These guns are likely to be part of a new proposed Strike Corps to be raised along the China border.
The MoD has taken cognisance of these complaint and the ministry is probing the allegations through in internal inquiry, sources said. The ministry is also likely to seek comments of the Army headquarters on this issue, sources added.
The `3,000 crore deal was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in October last year and has been mired in controversy ever since.
Prior to its approval, the defence ministry had sought the report of a committee on whether to go ahead with the procurement after the leakage of the trial reports of the M-777 howitzer.
The leaked report had suggested that the guns had under performed during the trials and the Army was not happy with it. The Ministry had then formed a Committee under then DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat to submit a report whether the procurement should be realised or not.
The deal was given a go ahead only after Saraswat gave it clearance. The Ultra-Light Howitzers of 155 mm 39 calibre are being acquired for deployment in high altitude areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. The M777 guns can be airlifted easily and be used for quick deployment of assets in mountainous regions.
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