The Indian Army has had to bring down some of their Mitsubishi Pajero SUVs in use along the Indo-Chinese border as engines have been malfunctioning.
The Army is of the opinion that Mitsubishi Pajero SUVs supplied to them in Sikkim, performed below expectations, specifically at higher altitudes. 3 models have been brought down to Kolkata for repairs, of which one is being used at the Army’s Eastern Command Head Quarters at Fort Williams while one is also used by Lt. Gen. Praveen Bakshi, Eastern Army Commander.
Even as the Indian Army is facing these problems with engine performance, Mitsubishi states that the problem has arisen due to use of poor quality diesel used by the Indian Army. Mitsubishi claims that Indian Army used Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), which consists of 70% kerosene as against the imported additive as suggested by the automaker.
The company contends that the SUV itself is sturdy and has performed well under adverse weather conditions. The company had suggested use of special additives to avoid freezing of diesel right at the time of purchase, which the Indian Army failed to take note of. It was due to substandard fuel that the engines of these particular Mitsubishi Pajero SUVs developed problems with fuel injection pumps and other related parts.
It was between 2011 and 2014 that the Indian Army procured these Mitsubishi Pajero’s for use at the border areas. Poor maintenance, lack of right additives to avoid diesel freezing and use of different fuel, led to these constraints which Eastern Command spokesperson stated he was not aware of. He said that such interaction between senior officials and the company could have taken place in Delhi at the time of purchase, while they were not informed of the same.
New generation Mitsubishi Pajero
via ET Auto