The Indian Air Force (IAF) finds itself embroiled in a contentious debate surrounding its claim of achieving self-reliance in the defence sector. Recent revelations regarding the procurement of Crash Fire Tenders (CFTs) from a Noida-based firm have sparked outrage and scepticism across social media platforms.
Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the CFTs acquired by the Air Force closely resemble those manufactured by an Austrian company, raising questions about the authenticity of the indigenous label touted by the Indian authorities. Compounding the controversy is the visible presence of Chinese tires on these vehicles, further undermining claims of self-sufficiency in defence production. The Tires are of ‘Techking’ company made in Chengdu, on these vehicles.
On Wednesday, the Indian Air Force wrote on X: “Built by a Noida-based Indian MSME firm, the Indian manufacturer has ensured delivery of the CFT within 14 months of signing the contract against a contract worth Rs 291 crore,” the Air Force said. “This was achieved despite multiple disruptions in the global supply chain.”
In the images of CFT released by the IAF, ‘Indian’ and ‘Bharat-Panther’ is written on these vehicles.
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Crash Fire Tenders aquired by the IAF. (Image: X)
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Some observers have even pointed out the apparent resemblance to CFTs manufactured by the Austrian company Rosenbauer. (Image: X)
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Speculation are that the Noida-based company may have either assembled the CFTs in India or directly procured them from international sources. (Image: X)
In 2020, the Air Force issued a tender for the acquisition of 45 CFTs, ostensibly to bolster its firefighting capabilities during aircraft operations at airports and air bases. However, the recent scrutiny surrounding the procurement process has cast doubt on the transparency and efficacy of the defence procurement mechanisms. Despite assertions from the Air Force regarding the Noida-based firm’s role in delivering the CFTs within a tight timeframe and amid global supply chain disruptions, questions persist about the authenticity of the indigenous manufacturing claims.
The controversy surrounding the CFTs has intensified as social media users and defence analysts scrutinize images released by the Air Force, highlighting the striking similarities between the Noida-manufactured CFTs and those produced by international manufacturers.
Some observers have even pointed out the apparent resemblance to CFTs manufactured by the Austrian company Rosenbauer, which has been supplying firefighting equipment globally for decades. This revelation has led to speculation that the Noida-based company may have either assembled the CFTs in India or directly procured them from international sources, raising concerns about the true extent of indigenous production in the defence sector.
Despite mounting pressure for transparency and accountability, the Noida-based company has remained silent on the matter, leaving the Air Force to fend off allegations of ignorance or oversight. The lack of clarity from the manufacturer only serves to deepen suspicions surrounding the authenticity of the indigenous label affixed to the CFTs.