Armoured vehicles lying idle
By NIK NAIZI HUSIN
PEKAN: At least 30% of the Adnan armoured combat vehicles,
purchased almost three years ago for RM1.2bil, are lying idle all
because the purchase agreement did not have a clause for
maintenance and supply of spare parts.
Due to difficulty in getting the spare parts, the combat vehicles
had been lying idle, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Zainal Abidin
Zin said.
The initial purchase agreement did not include a clause for
maintenance and supply of spare parts. As such, we are now in a
dilemma as the Government had spent so much on the purchase, he
told reporters after paying a visit to the manufacturing plant here
yesterday.
Zainal Abidin said the ministry was in the midst of taking measures
to address the problem.
It will probe why there is no agreement with the company,
DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech), for the supply of
spare parts.
We view the matter seriously and will follow the development
closely, he said, adding that the ministry will work hand in hand
with the relevant parties to find a solution.
Deftech had secured a RM1.1bil contract to supply 211 armoured
carrier vehicle units the ACV300 Adnan to the army by August
2004.
Zainal Abidin said at present, minor parts could be purchased from
the manufacturer but there was no agreement to procure the bigger
components.
He admitted that the present situation would worsen if no action
were taken to rectify the problem.
The rest of the vehicles were still under warranty and were being
maintained by the manufacturer, he added.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/2/9/nation/13344305&sec=nation
