Navy to clear air on Barak missile deal

Navy to clear air on Barak missile deal
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, APRIL 3: After the Army, it is now the Navy's turn to ``set the record straight''. Close on the heels of the Army insisting that the T-90 tank and Kransnopol precision guided munition deals were above board, it is the Navy which will conduct a briefing on the Barak anti-missile missile deal.

It is imperative for the Navy to state its stand, especially in the wake of the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sushil Kumar, coming to former Defence minister George Fernandes' defence saying he (Fernandes) had no role to play in the deal.

The Barak deal with Israel and the T-90 tank and Kransnopol deal with Russia are among the deals talked about in the ``Tehelka tapes'', where allegations of corruption were levelled against top Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials, services personnel and even the minister.

``There is an impression in the minds of people that the Navy cleared the Barak missile deal in a hurry and without carrying out adequate tests. There is also a misconception that Naval personnel considered only the Barak system and this was because money changed hands. The Navy will explain the procedures of procurement to show the procurement cannot be manipulated,'' sources in MoD said.

However, it is the issue of spares that will embarrass the Navy. The allegations levelled by Rear Admiral Suhas Purohit, former assistant chief of naval staff (logistics) and present ACNS (civil) personnel, on the Navy paying five times the price for spares will be tough to answer.

According to sources in the Naval headquarters, the issue would be skirted completely because the ``matter is sub-judice''. The Navy briefing will also be on Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS).

The briefing would be conducted by Vice Admiral Arun Prakash, Chief of Personnel (CoP) and Rear Admiral S.V. Gopalachari, ACNS (policy and plans).