Indian forces facing 75% shortage in 9mm ammo

[mundaire]

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ ... e-2890466/

75% shortage in 9 mm bullets, paramilitary forces run on empty
An alarmed ministry has now asked the forces to import bullets through a global tender for immediate needs.
Written by Deeptiman Tiwary | New Delhi | Updated: July 3, 2016 1:31 pm

The nine-lakh strong paramilitary forces guarding India’s borders, fighting Maoists in jungles, and responding to situations such as the Pathankot terror attack face a massive shortage of ammunition for their weapons.

The scarcity of 9 mm bullets — the primary ammunition used by these forces in close combat — has meant there aren’t enough available for firing practice, and rationed supplies for actual combat.

According to figures available with The Sunday Express, the shortfall of 9 mm bullets in 2016-17 is likely to be over 75% — against a demand of 9.3 crore bullets for paramilitary and state police forces, the Ordnance Factories Board (OFB) has agreed to supply only 2.3 crore.

[kshitij]

What do they mean by "OFB has agreed to supply 2.3cr"? They dont have any more production capacity or is that their lethargy speaking?

[StampMaster]

After 70 years of independence we still relay on some pre-historic era weapon technology arms and ammunition research and development.

Till date Indian didnt develop a decent small arms in all these years and it is a shame. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, UAE and third world countries have developed much better compared to our defense industry.

Places like Darra where small and big arms manufacturing (hand made)flourish in Pakistan make much better then our Indian ordinance.

[Vineet]

It will be blessing in disguise. Armed forces will get imported ammo !!

[AgentDoubleS]

I had first heard this about a year ago for NSG related procurement. This should be a wake up call for the "Make in India" campaign- the OFB production levels YOY are actually falling!@%&*.

The ordnance ammo was quite good quality- far superior to most other things I've seen them produce.

Off topic- I now know how my 50 ammo quota got decided. The state police constable gets 70 a year, I Shouldn't need more than s/he does!

[mundaire]

The police constable doesn't even want to shoot the yearly allocated amount, as it takes him away from his "daily duties"... The knowledge of firearms of an average policeman in India, is less than zero, with absolutely no desire (on their part) to even learn more.

[SMJ]

When the demand is 9.3 crore and the Ordnance factory can only supply 2.3 isn't it time to wake up and smell the coffee?? Or what are the military forces and/or state police to do in combat when they run out- throw stones

[StampMaster]

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The police constable doesn't even want to shoot the yearly allocated amount, as it takes him away from his "daily duties"... The knowledge of firearms of an average policeman in India, is less than zero, with absolutely no desire (on their part) to even learn more.

True. But with my discussion with Railway Police (armed guards in trains) get a annual quota, its 50 rounds.

State police, especially the Law & Order department of police is no good than traffic or transport. They hardly handle arms, I guess that is for display. My first and last visit to XXX District Armoury to deposit my gun shocked me, the incharge there mentions more than 70% of their arms are not usable due to no maintenance .. and remaining no one can guarantee....