After years of delay, the Army on Monday invited proposals for procurement of 140 ultralight howitzers.

Talking to mediapersons on the eve of the 60th Army Day, Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor said, “As I am interacting with you right now, the RFP (Request for proposal) for procurement of the Ultra-Light Howitzer guns has been issued.” The RFP for the procurement of 155mm 52-calibre guns would also be issued soon, he added.

“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.

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