Question : SUPPLY OF SENSITIVE EQUIPMENTS TO ARMY

(a) whether the Union Government have provided all sensitive equipments to all the Army units who have been deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and other insurgency affected States;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether some proposal received from the Northern and Eastern Commands for additional equipment have been lying pending with the Union Government for more than five years, four years and three years;

(e) if so, the reasons for such a long pendency of these proposals; and

(f) the steps taken by the Union Government to suitably equip the Army in terrorists and insurgency affected States?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) & (b): A variety of equipment required for fighting insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and North-East States have been procured and deployed. The process of equipping units is a continuous one and also involves identifying new requirements. The list of equipment includes Thermal Imaging Night Vision Devices, Surveillance Equipment, Electronic Warfare Equipment, Intrusion Detection Systems, Mine Protected Vehicles, Equipment to Counter Improvised Explosive Devices and Modern Infantry Weapons.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) to (f): Proposals received from the Army Headquarters for procurement of equipment for counter insurgency operations are dealt with on priority in the Ministry of Defence. There are no proposals pending for more than three years in the Ministry.