Issuing a statement, NA's Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) said that the level of loss due to delays in the purchase of Galil rifles meant for the special force might not be calculated at present but that it would affect the quality of service in the long run."It is meaningless to drag the NA into controversy as it began the process for procuring the rifles with consent from the government," the statement reads.
After the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament sought clarification over the controversy surrounding the import of arms from Israel, NA in reply said that it began the process as the prescribed rifle is manufactured by Israel-based Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) only. NA further said that it was not necessary to issue tender notice as procurement can be made via respective embassies.
According to the DPR, NA had started the procurement process on the recommendation of experts and senior government officials.
"So there is no point in exaggerating the issue and blaming the NA leadership," reads the NA statement. NA's special force has been using Galil rifles for many years. The NA has said that the rifles need to be replaced by similar weapons of new series as they proved effective and reliable.
According to financial and technical proposal sent by IWI, NA was preparing to purchase over 1,000 rifles, which cost USD 1,800 to 2,400 per unit.
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