The Indian Army’s modernisation strategy is focused on acquiring capabilities that will enable it to succeed in any operation today or in the future through operational sustainment of weapon systems that aim to retain these capabilities throughout its lifecycle.
The Indian Army?s Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), in collaboration with Ficci, is exploring the idea of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), a concept hitherto confined to the civil aviation sector.
Aiming to institutionalise measures for the Army adopting MRO for its land systems through forging strong public-private partnerships, so as to ensure that equipment meet operational needs in a cost effective manner, EME and Ficci will be organising the first-ever international seminar on MRO in Land Systems in New Delhi on December 3-4.
Talking to FE, deputy chief of army staff Lt Gen Narendra Singh highlighted the importance of the effective integration and implementation of MRO?s best practices for land systems and strengthening the coordination within the military industrial complex.
Director general EME Lt Gen NB Singh emphasised the importance of equipment sustainability which reflects an Army?s capabilities to keep its weapon systems operational 24×7, 360 degrees.
?MRO is feasible by speed and commonality. Its all about life cycle,? says L&T Heavy Engineering executive vice-president for defence & aerospace Jayant D Patil.
?The Army has always said, replace in forward areas and repair rearwards. We are planning to change that. Now we are looking at private firms for indigenised weapons and systems and MRO will succeed,? said an Army officer.
