Effectiveness of Quality Assurance in Army Procurements

A closed loop feedback system for ensuring the quality of the Army equipment exists. Notwithstanding this, a number of Army equipment show a high failure rate at crucial times and are, therefore, a matter of great concern. These failed equipment have resulted in a number of avoidable casualties as well as restricted operational planning by tactical commanders in the field due to the non-availability of equipment for deployment, which results from their low reliability or high rates of failure. This article examines how this system has been exploited in terms of analysing the feedback from the field Army and using the outcomes of these analyses for incorporating improvements in General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs), Acceptance Test Procedures (ATPs), Quality Assurance Plans (QAPs), etc., all to ensure that a better quality product is procured. Based on the analysis, it also provides certain recommendations to improve the existing system.