Contradicting Army chief Gen VK Singh, defence minister’s scientific advisor VK Saraswat, who is heading the Defence Research and Development Organisation [DRDO] has given full marks to Tatra trucks. He claimed the trucks were “outstanding” and there was nothing substandard about the vehicles used as base for launching missiles like Prithvi and Agni.
“Tatra truck is an outstanding truck. We have been using them for the past 20 years. They have a very good cross country capability and can move at good speeds,” Saraswat told reporters at Defence Expo in the national capital on Saturday.
The Army chief has contended that these all-weather trucks were “substandard.”
Noting that the launchers of all important missiles like the Prithvi and Agni are based on these trucks, the DRDO chief said the performance of these vehicles “has been good in armed forces and we have no complaints about it.” However, he admitted there were some issues related to its serviceability.
Saraswat also said, “we will have more of them in future” if there was any further requirement of these trucks. However, if the government gives direction against using them, the premier research organisation will stop doing so.
He also announced that 5,000-km-long range ballistic missile Agni-5 will be lunched in the next fortnight.
Asked to comment on the perceived tussle between Defence minister AK Antony and the Army chief, he said both were good people and should handle their differences, if any, with more caution.
“The harmony within the defence ministry with respect to our functioning and image is very important. I give my advise on technical issues but as a citizen of this country, I would say that I have known both the defence minister and the Army chief and both of them are very good people. If they have any differences, they should be handled with most cautious approach,” he added.
