Army to go in for full automation of ammunition supplies

Army to go in for full automation of ammunition supplies
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

APRIL 8: Indian army is going in for total automation of its ammunition inventory for rapid reaction to meet exigencies like the Kargil conflict, according to Director General of Army Ordinance Corps (AOC) Lt Gen Shailendra Kumar Bhatanagar.

Outlining the thrust of the Corps for the new millennium, he said, "this would involve `total automation' of inventory by optimum utilisation of Info-Tech and focussing on meeting the needs of army and other para-military forces in the shortest possible time."

He said the Corps had lived up to its reputation by moving almost 30,000 to 40,000 rounds of ammunition including the larger 155 mm artillery shells for `Operation Vijay', and added efforts were now directed to move ammunition and ordinance to hot areas at the earliest.

Elaborating on the Kargil effort on the occasion of the 225th anniversary of the Corps today, he told PTI that "despite accretion" at the force level and the sudden induction of formation units with diverse equipment profile the Ordinance Corps had moved the munitions of war to units in Kargil with utmost speed by rail, road and air through coordinated plan.

Lt Gen Bhatnagar said the Corps had undertaken Herculean efforts to move wide range of equipment and clothing to the battle front.

"The activities involved moving a large range of weapons, ammunition, communication equipment, battlefield surveillance equipment, vehicles, clothing, including snow clothing, and night vision devices which were pivotal to success of Indian forces," he said.

Placing on record the appreciation for the Corps personnel including the civilians, the Lt Gen, however, said "much remains to be achieved and we must continue to consolidate on the achievements of the previous year."

"I would like to emphasise upon the need of modernisation in thoughts and action. We must adopt new business techniques like Supply Chain Management and the Electronic Commerce while improving our infrastructure and facilities," he said.

He said more and more high-tech weapons and equipment being inducted into the army has made the function of logistic support very complex and challenging.