NEW DELHI: At the time when the Indian Army is modernising its offensive capabilities, specifically in the Artillery and the Armoured Regiments, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit exercise has reported “shortfall of barrels and breech mechanisms ranging from 30-100 per cent of the production capacity” during 2015-22. A delay in the supply of ammunition has also been noticed.

The CAG audit also found that augmentation of production capacity of large calibre weapons in ordnance factories “could not be completed (January 2023)” even though an expenditure of Rs 292.32 crore (Rs 253.13 crore P&M + Rs 39.19 crore civil works)” was incurred.

The CAG has advised the Ministry of Defence and Defence public sector undertakings to “work out a revised time frame and put in place a strengthened monitoring mechanism to achieve project deliverables.”

The report for the period ended March 2021 was tabled in Parliament during the winter session. “Inordinate time was taken in execution of the civil works and procurement/ receipt/ commissioning of plant and machineries, especially the Electro Slag Refining (ESR) plant along with its linked machines at Field Gun Factory Kanpur (FGK) and five important machines at Metal & Steel Factory Ishapore (MSF),” it said.

The delays, including the “non-commissioning of the ESR plant at FGK and sub-optimal capacity of production of ESR slugs at MSF had a cascading effect on the entire supply line of components,” the report said.