The strategic missile system, a medium range supersonic surface to air missile system to counter aerial threats were “deficient in quality,” according to a report tabled by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in Parliament on Friday.
Over 70 % of the under vehicle scanners (UVS) installed at Indian Air Force (IAF) bases were non-functional, the report said. It also said that the IL series of aircraft, which provide vital transport support to IAF during contingencies, “has not been upgraded, and continue to fly with 1985 vintage avionics.”
The report comes amid increased threat perception to defence installations in the wake of the terrorist attack at the Pathankot airbase in January 2016.
The IAF in February said that out of the 57 UVS systems, 52 had been installed and only five were yet to be installed. However, 35 systems still remained in “unserviceable condition.”
“Even as on February 2017, over 70 per cent of the procured UVS systems were not functioning or were uninstalled. Thus the security systems procured at a cost of ₹17.09 crore could not be utilised fully for the security of the air bases even after about five years. Besides, the security of the air bases could not be enhanced as envisaged,” the report said.
It said the serviceability of IL-76 and 78 aircraft was low because of delay in servicing and repair. “The avionics of the IL fleet has not been upgraded, as a result they continued to fly with 1985 vintage avionics. There was delay in carrying out first and second overhaul of IL-76 aircraft which meant that aircraft were flown without overhaul, well past the due date for overhaul. This was an undue risk taken by IAF. Air to air refuelling is a crucial capability both during combat as well as peace time operations. IL-78 aircraft are dedicated for this purpose. However, due to inadequate infrastructure and support facilities the air to air refuelling capability was hampered,” the report said.
“Strategic missile system is vital for the country’s air defence and deterrence capability. Audit found that the system delivered by Bharat Electricals Limited (BEL) was deficient in quality. Out of 80 missiles received up to November 2014, 20 were test fired during April-November 2014. Six of these missiles i.e., 30 % failed the test. Preliminary failure analysis report revealed that the missiles fell short of the target, had lower than the required velocity, and also there was malfunctioning of critical units like Servo Control Unit and Connector. Two missiles had failed to take off because the booster nozzle had failed. These deficiencies posed an operational risk during hostilities,” the report added.