Malfunctioning SMERCH MBRLS

[Kunal Biswas]

Ministry of Defence signed two contracts in December 2005 and March 2007
with M/s Rosoboronexport, Russia for import of a total number of 42
SMERCH Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System (MBRLS) at the total cost
aggregating Rs 2633 crore

The trials of the system were conducted in three phases between June and
August 2002 prior to conclusion of contract in December 2005. In the General
Staff Evaluation (GSE) of the trials, the Director General Quality Assurance
(DGQA) (L) observed that electronic components should be able to function
in operating environment specification of minus 40ºC to plus 50ºC. However,
the maximum temperature recorded during trials was stated to be up to 36ºC
only when the trials were conducted. The need for verification of these aspects
before finalization of contract was emphasized in the GSE.

Seven out of thirteen SOCRIG failed completely during exploitation of sub
systems. As one sub system costs Rs 50 lakh and is critical for the accuracy of
the system, the matter was taken up with the supplier who suggested to carry
out the product improvement by installing a cooling system at the cost of
buyer.

One of the possible reasons for the failure of SOCRIG was attributed to high
temperature ( 36ºC ) prevailing in Indian field conditions which suggested that despite
the apprehensions expressed during trial evaluation the system was not tested
at the temperatures stipulated in the contract.

The sub-system DTE is fitted in LV, TLV, CSV and MET Complex for
encrypted data communication. Eleven DTEs each costing Rs 25 lakh reported
complete/partial failures due to defect in the internal component. The
equipment is critical for the reliability of the system since complete
automation depends on it.

The contract provided for PDI by the DGQA and sixteen personnel were
trained in Russia to carry out inspection. The PDI could not be carried out
properly as the team members were not exposed to the weapon system in the
short training.

The PDI team involved in inspection of the LVs etc was not permitted by the
vendor to carry out live firing from the LV (9A – 52 – 2T) supplied owing to
defective wording of the contract.

Source : http://saiindia.gov.in/english/home..._2011/Defence_Services/Report_no_12/chap2.pdf

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Failures in Launch Vehicles

In respect of the LVs the failures in tw
o hydro pneumatic device which acts as
a lifting and balancing mechanism of the LV and cost Rs 25 lakh each

==================

Failures in sub system of launch vehicle - SOCRIG

Seven out of thirteen SOCRIG failed completely during exploitation of sub
systems. As one sub system costs Rs 50 lakh and is critical for the accuracy of
the system,

==================

Failure of Data Transmission Equipment (DTE)

The sub-system DTE is fitted in LV, TLV, CSV and MET Complex for
encrypted data communication. Eleven DTEs each costing Rs 25 lakh reported
complete/partial failures due to defect in the internal component.

==================

Deficiencies in Communication system

Radio Set R 171 M supplied by the vendor has a tuning system which was
reported to be more defect prone than other sub systems of radio sets and also
had reduced range.

 

[Jagdish58]

Import is killing the defence , high time there should be leader like Sardar Valabhai patel ( Iron Man) as defence minister, but we have dothi man instead . We have to take swift decision in areas where opportunity is given to Indian Private company

Because Private industry will improve by hook or crook , but unfortunetely we are happy to feed middle men & develop foreign defence companies rather than home grown

 

[nirranj]

Import is killing the defence , high time there should be leader like Sardar Valabhai patel ( Iron Man) as defence minister, but we have dothi man instead . We have to take swift decision in areas where opportunity is given to Indian Private company

Because Private industry will improve by hook or crook , but unfortunetely we are happy to feed middle men & develop foreign defence companies rather than home grown

Dothi men are as strong as Vallabai Patels.. The problem Here is the apathy towards Indigenisation and Including Private companies in Defense developments.

There Should be a carpet ban on importing anything regarding Defense... We are even importing winter clothing when we have 10 times more snow covered areas than the Swiss... We dont find opportunities to develop things inn our home...

 

[Kyubi]

But do we have anything comparable to smerch mbrls in terms of range, Pinaka Mk2 itself is above 55 km whereas Smerch has a range of 90km and a higher caliber... apparently the Pinaka MBRLS with 120 km range is still in its nascent stage.

 

[janme]

So why the army brought it when the weapon failed the tests??

 

[Kunal Biswas]

There are no MBRLS, But have Prahaar ..

Though its a Short range tactical BM, It can be used effectively against tactical targets with great precision ..

Both Indian BM-30 and Prahaar have similar mobility and size ..

But do we have anything comparable to smerch mbrls in terms of range, Pinaka Mk2 itself is above 55 km whereas Smerch has a range of 90km and a higher caliber... apparently the Pinaka MBRLS with 120 km range is still in its nascent stage.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Corruption, Kickbacks ..

So why the army brought it when the weapon failed the tests??

 

[sayareakd]

Send few of the top officer serving or retire who are responsible for this to firing squad.

 

[Kyubi]

There are no MBRLS, But have Prahaar ..

Though its a Short range tactical BM, It can be used effectively against tactical targets with great precision ..

Both Indian BM-30 and Prahaar have similar mobility and size ..

I think equating Smerch and Prahaar with similar platforms on mobility isn't the right way, one is BM and the other is a rocket with different sets of warheads.
If we were to talk about the range prahaar has a range of 150km and smerch has a range of 90 hence Prahaar acts as a intermediary between PINAKA,Smerch on one side and Prithvi BM on the orther. The Idea is to replace defective Smerch with Pinaka 120 km variant with an improved CEP and have various types of warheads or have a parallel regiment of smerch and pinaka there by covering 90 to 120 km range...

 

[Jagdish58]

Dothi men are as strong as Vallabai Patels.. The problem Here is the apathy towards Indigenisation and Including Private companies in Defense developments.

There Should be a carpet ban on importing anything regarding Defense... We are even importing winter clothing when we have 10 times more snow covered areas than the Swiss... We dont find opportunities to develop things inn our home...

I differ my friend , Sardar Vallabhai patel stood firm against Nehru , on invadeing Hyderabad Deccan & First kashmir war after independence

Can Dothi St Antony take firm decision by passing gandhi family

and i agree on the second point , eiether we have a clause banning importing major defence equipment or international community has to put sanction on us like in Iran

See Iran is working hard on self reliance , yes one can out big question mark on quality . But again eg: like this Smerch & P8-I with Chinese parts is no different:thumb:

 

[hitesh]

Why the IA complaints about major Flaws in system this could be the because they bought the system without an extensive trials in home conditions .
The problem is when they start doing the trials it never ends like the RFI for assault rifles or MUV 4x4 jeeps

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Prahaar does not work like MBRL, But has ability to do same work as BM-30, That is to strike tactical target like command center, Enemy Armour formation, Troop concentration, Which is why Army gone for BM-30 in past ..

Pinaka 2 as of now has a range of 60kms with Precision versions ( GPS / INS guided ), Pinaka 2 of 120kms is shed away in favor of Prahaar, Prahaar is replacing Prithvi ..

In my view, Why i think prahaar can replace BM-30, Because >

1. Mobility is same as BM-30
2. Size is also same as BM-30
3. Has increased range
4. It is logical that one flexible system can replace two different system for same work, Its beneficial in Logistic sense..

Our need for BM-30 is not same as Russian, Our aim was to hit enemy command and important targets at longer ranges, At that time BM-30 suits the need, Now We have better system and that too is home made ..

I think equating Smerch and Prahaar with similar platforms on mobility isn't the right way, one is BM and the other is a rocket with different sets of warheads. If we were to talk about the range prahaar has a range of 150km and smerch has a range of 90 hence Prahaar acts as a intermediary between PINAKA,Smerch on one side and Prithvi BM on the orther. The Idea is to replace defective Smerch with Pinaka 120 km variant with an improved CEP

 

[rohit b3]

But do we have anything comparable to smerch mbrls in terms of range, Pinaka Mk2 itself is above 55 km whereas Smerch has a range of 90km and a higher caliber... apparently the Pinaka MBRLS with 120 km range is still in its nascent stage.

To have something like that, we should stop imports in the first place and invest more in R&D. All our defence budget goes into imports and barely anything is left for new developement. No wonder all our indigneous developements are abnormally delayed.