Contradicting the Army chief Gen V.K. Singh, the DRDO chief, Dr V.K. Saraswat, today said Tatra trucks were “outstanding” and there was nothing sub-standard about the vehicles used as base for launching all important missiles like Prithvi and Agni.
“Tatra truck is an outstanding truck... They have a very good cross country capability and can move at good speeds,” Dr Saraswat said here today at a press conference at Defence Expo.
He was responding when asked about the performance of Tatra trucks in view of the Army chief’s contention that these vehicles were sub-standard.
Noting that the launches of all important missiles like the Prithvi and Agni are based on these trucks, the DRDO chief said the performance of these vehicles “has been good in armed forces and we have no complaints about it’’.
Dr Saraswat said “we will have more of them” if there was any further requirement of these trucks. However, if the Government gives direction against using them, the premier research organisation will stop doing so.
Asked to comment on the perceived tussle between the Defence Minister, Mr A.K. Antony, and the Army chief, he said both were good people and should handle their differences, if any, with more caution.
“The harmony within the Defence Ministry with respect to our functioning and image is very important. I give my advise on technical issues but as a citizen of this country, I would say that I have known both the Defence Minister and the Army Chief and both of them are very good people.
“If they have any differences, they should be handled with most cautious approach,” he added.