New Delhi:India is yet to deploy the proposed six squadrons of the indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile systems in the Northeast, according to CAG.
The deployment was to be made as part of the overall plan to build "deterrence" against China despite the move being approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security way back in November 2010.
This alarming operational military gap was disclosed in the latest CAG report tabled in Parliament on Friday, which was also released online in the public domain, at a time when Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a tense face-off at Doklam near the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction.
The audit watchdog also punched gaping holes in the quality control of Akash missiles, which are designed by DRDO and produced by defence PSUs like Bharat Electronics, because one-third of them miserably failed in test-firings. "These deficiencies posed an operational risk during hostilities," it said.
The Akash air defence missiles, with an interception range of 25-km, are meant to prevent enemy fighters, helicopters and drones from attacking vital installations like airbases. The IAF has ordered eight Akash-1 missile squadrons worth Rs 6,200 crore, while the Army is now completing induction of two Akash regiments for Rs 14,180 crore.
The CAG report said, "The missile systems were to be installed at six designated sites (in the North-East) between June 2013 and December 2015. But till date (March 2017), none of the missile systems, procured for Rs 3,619 crore, have been installed. The main reason was the delay in execution of civil works (missile storage facilities, workshops and ramp structures) at the sites."
As for the quality control, six of the 20 missiles tested by IAF flopped in 2014, with two even failing to take off from their launchers due to malfunctioning booster nozzles.
"Preliminary failure analysis report revealed the missiles fell short of the target, had lower than the required velocity, and there was also malfunctioning of critical units like servo control units and connectors," said CAG.