"There is stiff resistance from the DRDO. If the government places an order for ATGMs from abroad, it can be accused of promoting foreign suppliers at the cost of the DRDO," said another source.The Army, however, is worried. With a shocking 60% shortage in its "authorised holding" of ATGMs, the force has "nil" war wastage reserves (stockpiles held in reserve for war) as of now. "But the DRDO has been seeking extensions since 2013 to successfully demonstrate the performance of its man-portable ATGM," said one of the sources. In the long run, the Army wants to equip all its 382 infantry battalions and 44 mechanised infantry units with third- and fourth-generation ATGMs.

Source: Economic Times January 28, 2018 04:52 UTC