(a) whether the Government had decided to undertake `Up gunning` of 130 mm guns
about four years back;
(b) if so, the steps taken, the company selected and the amount of expenditure incurred
for the purpose;
(c) the procedure followed in selecting the company to undertake the work;
(d) whether the up gunning was later given up;
(e) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(f) the total amount of loss resulting therefrom?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a) Yes, Sir. The Government had decided to undertake `up gunning` of 130mm guns to
155mm caliber in 1991.
(b) A letter of invitation was issued in 1992. Out of five offers received, only M/s.
Soltam, Israel fielded one up-gunned system for trials in 1993. The trials were carried out
and the gun was recommended for introduction into service. The contract was signed in
March, 2000 for US $ 47,524,137.
(c) The Defence Procurement Procedure in vogue then was followed.
(d) The up gunning was held up for a short duration.
(e) The validation trial with up-gunned equipment held in 2001 in India was
unsuccessful.
(f) No loss was incurred.