BEML chairman VRS Natarajan today refrained from directly reacting to
comments made by Army chief General VK Singh on the quality of Tatra
trucks but defended the vehicle calling it unmatched in its category.
“I respect the Army chief and I have no comment to make. But the
Tatra trucks are the world’s best and they are not sub-standard,”
Natarajan said at a press conference organised at the Defence Expo venue
in New Delhi.
BEML chairman and managing director VRS Natarajan. Image courtesy PIB
Comparing to ordinary lorries made by Indian companies, the BEML head
pointed to the technological superiority of its Czech counterpart. The
Tatra trucks are the products of Vectra made in India under licence from
the Czech firm.
“The on road ordinary Indian lorries have fixed axle. The Tatra has
flexible axle and is an all-terrain vehicle. It is not obsolete since it
gets updated according to the defence’s requirements. It is not
comparable to any other model because of its superiority. The flexible
axle allows 80 degree mobility to each wheel,” he said, referring to the
state-of-the-art technologies behind the military vehicle.
“In the last 26 years, there has been no direct or indirect complaint
on performance of the truck,” Natarajan said. “Even the former Chief of
Army Staff General JJ Singh praised the trucks,” Natarajan said. The
BEML boss also refuted allegations of unjustified pricing that climbed
from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1 crore in a short span of time.
“There are diferent prices for different sizes. A 4×4 vehicle will
costs less while truck variants 8×8, 10×10 and 12×12 will be expensive
as it gets longer. Over the years, Vectra has been revising prices every
January. They have been increasing it for a percent or two owing to
currency valuations and other factors,” Natarajan said.
“We have supplying these trucks as per their demands. We have
fulfilling their demands of differentr types from Euro I to Euro III.
Currently we supply Euro III. You must understand that with an enhanced
engine, 40 percent of the truck also has to be upgraded. This affects
price as well. Pricing is right according to technology,” he said.
Natarajan also brushed aside allegeations on maintenance of the Tatra trucks.
“BEML maintains the trucks only till the warranty period. After that
the vehicle is taken care of by the user, in this case the military.
Post-warranty period we supply only parts as per demand. There may have
been occassional delays here and there,” he said.
When asked if he had met General Singh, the BEML head said, “When he
took over as the COAS I went with him with a bouquet and briefed him
about BEML.” He assured that he would support us, Natarajan said.
