Tourism not Renuka’s only priority: she rolls out a Russian field gun, says it’s good for Army

Pointing out that she had written a letter earlier as well, she said: ‘‘I had written a letter before the elections, asking the Army to look at the other artillery piece.’’

It’s learnt that the Defence Minister forwarded the letter to Chief of Army Staff, seeking his comments.

What surprised Army headquarters was a detailed paper included in the letter which spoke of the merits of the new Russian artillery gun and claimed that it was much better in terms of accuracy and calibre. The details in the paper led to speculation that its author had to be someone familiar with artillery.

When Chowdhury was asked about the paper, she said: ‘‘I am the daughter of a Services officer and I have my own sources… I am concerned.’’

But there’s concern at Army Headquarters too. They have already decided on an artillery gun after nearly eight years of extensive trials and negotiations. As per an inter-governmental agreement signed late last year between New Delhi and Johannesburg, South African artillery major DENEL and public sector undertaking BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Ltd), will supply 90 155 mm self-propelled howitzers to the Army. DENEL will manufacture the guns while BEML will make the tracks which will be married to complete the system. DENEL will supply 90 guns before a transfer of technology enables India to make its own artillery pieces.

The agreement, South Block sources said, is crucial to the Army’s plans to modernise and upgrade its artillery. Ever since the controversy over the purchase of the Bofors guns, the Army has been unable to purchase any major artillery system. With nearly 300 artillery regiments, the Army has been seeking a new gun and waiting to upgrade its present artillery pieces.