For the first time since Independence, the Army is set to replace canvas shoes issued to its jawans with modern sports shoes.
More than 80,000 pairs of new shoes will be used for final field trials in various commands. If they meet the required standards, the entire 11-lakh strong Army will get these shoes within the next two to three years.
It has taken more than ten years for the Army to shortlist a private company to supply the shoes as per its specifications. The trials will take place in four commands, including Southern, South Western, Western and Central. All the these commands will get 20,000 pairs each for evaluation and the trials will take place for about two months starting next month, officials said here on Thursday.
Giving the details of the selection procedure and reasons for delay, they said the idea to replace standard issue brown or white canvas shoes with modern sports shoes was first mooted in 2009. In 2010, the global tender or request for proposal (RFP) for 1.75 lakh pairs was floated. At least five Indian and multinational companies responded, they said.
However, an objection over use of leather in manufacturing the sports shoes made the Army withdraw the RFP in 2011 and a fresh tender was floated with new specifications with focus on synthetic material used in shoes.
Fourteen companies, including several reputed international brands showed keenness, officials said.
After extensive trials at the initial stages, two Indian companies managed to meet the standards and were asked to supply 1.75 lakh shoes as a pilot project in 2015. Following several rounds of modifications, one company was found to be ready to supply 80,000 pairs last year, they said. The Army has given some more time to the other company to carry out the required changes to be ready to supply more than 90,000 pairs, officials added.
At present, the Army issues two pairs of canvas shoes in a year to the jawans for physical training (PT) and participating in sporting activities. Once the sport shoes are inducted, the jawans will be entitled for one pair a year, they said.
Canvas shoes are a colonial legacy and even now nearly all the state police forces and para-military forces besides the Army issue this kind of footwear. However, the Army over the years has been equipping select soldiers excelling in sports with latest shoes to compete in intra-Army and inter Services tournaments.
The need for changing the canvas shoes was felt due to growing aspirations of the jawans and rapid economic changes in society at large. While the soldiers will get these shoes free of cost, the officers have to foot the bill for their pair of sports shoes, they clarified.