SUPPLY LINES AFFECTED: Generally even when the exporting country has stopped using the arms provided to others it maintains its production line for spares because of past commitments. The problem today is not that the Soviets are unwilling to supply the spares but because of internal turmoil in the country factories are either not producing at all or the communication system has been so badly disrupted that supply lines are being affected. While there is still hope of obtaining the spares for the Kvadrat the possibility of getting the Schilka parts appear rather remote at the moment.
Both the Kvadrat and Schilka missiles are overhauled to extend their lives in the Meerut factory. In the past whatever Spares were required were flown in from the USSR India had not Obtained the technology for these two missiles though it had been allowed manufacturing licenses for a large number of Soviet equipment including the MIG 21’s.
The Army which uses the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters will also be facing the problem of spares.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 9, 1991
