Thread by @hukum2082

The @firstpost report by Yatish Yadav on problems plaguing the Akash Missile in @IAF_MCC service is an arms lobby sponsored hit-job. It is an attempt to weaken the government's thrust on procurement of indigenous weapon systems.I elaborate in the thread below :-

Allegation 1

The report states that "On 3rd June, 2018, Akash Missile's Transportation and Loading Vehicle (TLV), parked at an Air Force Squadron, was jolted after a sudden burst of tube followed by shearing off wheel bolts due to impact.

Clarification 1

Tubeless Tire of an Ashok Leyland Missile Carrier burst due to weight/over pressure/routine wear and as the weight landed on the rims , the wheel bolts gave away.Happens on Indian Highways everyday.

Allegation 2 :

More than a month later, another squadron reported cracks on air intake caps of dummy missiles.

Clarification 2 :

Dummy Missiles are for crew training and the same missiles are routinely used to train multiple crews.Regular use can cause an air-intake cap to crack.Note : This was not live ordnance.

Allegation 3 :

Air Force mentioned it on record that the Integrated Air Compressor and Storage Facility (IACSF) of Akash Missile System units are unserviceable due to wobbling and vibration, pneumatic leakage, breaking of mounting pads and bolts.

Clarification 3 : Military Grade Air Compressors are trailer mounted units which look like Gensets on Wheels.The compressors need to be serviced regularly. Any pneumatic leakage points to loose gaskets , Cracked O rings , leaking welds and joints. Easily fixable issues.

Clarification 3 Continued : Wobbling Trailers point to axle and suspension issues.Could also be a bent wheel rim.Compressors vibrate when mounting pads are loose due to broken bolts.A clear case of maintenance lapse after field usage.What does the AMC say ? Who is the vendor ?

Allegation 4 :

The incidents of leakage from fuel tanks and leakage in pressurised missile containers

Clarification 4 :

The Aakash Missile is Solid Fuelled and cannot leak.Leakage from the Missile Carrier Truck's Fuel Tank is being presented as a Missile Fuel Leak.Pneumatic Leakage in Missile Containers has been discussed earlier pointing to Compressor Maintenance Issues.

Issues with Servo Control Unit , Connector Unit and Booster Nozzle failure do point to poor QA/QC practices at BEL/BDL and this needs to be corrected on a war footing.

Most of the complaints are for the IAF Version of the missile and mostly related to Support Equipment like the Missile Transportation Vehicle (MTV) and the Air Compressor Vehicle (ACV).No deal breaking issues with the Missile and Radar

This also points to poor program management at BEL/BDL where Supply Chains are lax and Warranty Contracts have been loosely worded.Time to learn from Automobile Companies.

This is a clear attempt to discredit the entire missile system for routine support equipment failure.Have Russian and Israeli SAMs in @IAF_MCC service never had maintenance issues ? This report closely follows @RAFAELdefense public spat with @DRDO_India. Smell Something ?