New Delhi: Indian Army`s plans to acquire
Ultra Light Howitzers (ULH) for its artillery units has again
hit a hurdle with Defence Ministry seeking a legal opinion
before going ahead with the deal in view of an order passed by
the Delhi High Court in May this year.
Defence Ministry has asked Law Ministry`s opinion as one
of the companies involved in the deal, Singapore Technologies,
was not allowed to take part in defence contracts by the
government after it was named in a CBI FIR in the Ordnance
Factory scam a few years ago, officials said here today.
Delhi High court had passed an order in May this year,
asking the Defence Ministry not to proceed with any purchase
in the tenders where Singapore Technologies were involved,
they said.
After purchase of Bofors guns for the artillery units 25
years ago, no fresh procurement was made by the government to
augment their strength.
The development could hurt Army`s plans as its Chief
General V K Singh in a press conference earlier this year had
said that the force would get at least one type of the
artillery guns by the end of this year.
The contract for towed artillery guns has been jinxed as
it has been cancelled four to five times because of various
reasons.
PTI
