Huge stockpile of defective anti-tank mines hurts army ops: CAG report
Controller of Quality Assurance (Ammunition) said leakage of TNT was because of low melting point of fillings.
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The anti-tank landmine meant to destroy armoured vehicles and tanks is an important part of the arsenal of any army.
A stockpile of anti-tank landmines worth Rs 36 Crore manufactured with the expertise of the High Explosive Factory in Khadki and the Ordnance Factory in Chandrapur, has been rendered unusable and is waiting in army depots to be repaired or replaced, according to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. This has affected capabilities of the Army against armoured vehicles, battle tanks in particular.
The anti-tank landmine meant to destroy armoured vehicles and tanks is an important part of the arsenal of any army. One mine, the 1A ND204 was designed and developed by Pune-based labs Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune (HEMRL) for the Indian Army.
Similar mines had been manufactured for the army by the Ordnance Factory at Chanda in Chandrapur district of Vidarbha for over 10 years. The High Explosive Factory at Khadki supplies Tri-nitro Toluene (TNT), the explosive material used in the mine.
The report says, “All anti-tank mines manufactured by these factories are inspected by Inspectorates of Director General of Quality Assurance in New Delhi before they are issued to the Army. From 2008-09 to 2010-11, Ordnance Factory Chanda manufactured and issued 2,71,794 mines to army depots, after inspection by inspectorates. During inspection between May and July 2010, TNT exudation (leakage) was reported. This defect was found in 54 lots comprising 1,07,244 mines valued at Rs 36 Crore,”
A committee set up in June 2011 to investigate reasons for TNT leakage had representatives from the Army, Ordnance Factory Board, inspectorates, ARDE and HEMRL. A staffer of ARDE confirmed that the committee was set up but refused to comment on the deliberations.
In a report, the office of the Controller of Quality Assurance (Ammunition) in Khadki said that the leakage was because of low melting point of TNT fillings and that the leakage had taken place at high temperatures. The ARDE in its report attributed the leakage to improper sealing of joints of the landmines, said the CAG report.
The CAG report states, “We observed that in May 2014 even after more than three years, modalities for repair of defective mines were not formulated. The leaking mines were collected from the depots and the sealant was supplied by Ordnance Factory Chanda. They turned brownish after exposure to the environment. Another sealant issued to HEMRL by Ordnance Factory Chanda was found to be satisfactory. There is no schedule for getting the mines repaired.”
The report concludes, “Manufacture of defective mines by High Explosive Factory and Ordnance Factory Chanda, coupled with failure to seal joints properly led to idling of mines valued at Rs 35.97 Crore at Army depots without repair or replacement, adversely affecting anti-tank operations of the Indian Army. The matter was referred to the Ministry in June 2014, and a reply is awa”ted.”
A query to the High Explosive Factory in Khadki did not receive any reply till late Monday.
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