With its thrust on indigenous manufacturing of equipment for soldiers deployed in high altitude including Siachen, the Army has managed to save more than Rs 200 crore in the last few years. More than Rs 600-800 crore are spent annually for procuring this specialized equipment even as several Indian companies are now manufacturing world class stuff.

Keeping up this momentum, the Army will now hold an open interaction for all vendors to discuss the trial report of their equipment including clothing, boots, tents and other such critical items which are the lifeline of troops deployed on super high altitudes starting from 12,000 feet. Indian troops are deployed at high altitudes as the country has more than 5,000 km of mountainous borders with China and Pakistan.

The trials of at least 25 items were conducted over a period of one year by the Northern Command and the interaction here on May 24 and 25 will enable the vendors to know the outcome, officials said here on Friday.

The open interaction is aimed at promoting transparency in procurement and the vendors will be guided to further improve their products for successful qualification, they added. Twenty three Indian and two global firms took part in the trials.

The items include woolen head cap, socks, water proof bag, under shirt cold weather, sleeping bag, mask face, snow goggles, jacket down, trouser down, mattress, rucksack, modular gloves with three layers of lining, poncho glacier, pulleys, boots and tents to name a few. All these items are required to withstand temperatures ranging from minus five to 30 degrees. Incidentally, the highest post at Siachen is located at nearly 23,000 feet and temperature throughout the year is minus 25 degrees.

Earlier, the Army per force had to import these items mostly from European countries as the local industry did not have the capabilities. However, over the past few years, the local industry has managed to bridge the capability gap and is supplying several items thereby saving at least Rs 200 crores in import, officials said.

The Army has also adopted an innovative method to expand the vendor list thereby increasing competition. Giving an example, they said if an item is selected offered by the lowest bidder, 70 per cent order is given to that firm and the rest is offered to the firm which came second. However, it will have to supply the product at the cost offered by the lowest bidder, they said.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Saturday, 12 May 2018 | PNS | New Delhi