New Delhi: Defence Minister AK Antony, on Thursday said his ministry is determined and firm about ensuring transparency in the Defence equipment procurement process, whether it was from indigenous industry or from abroad, and added there would be no compromise on this score.
“We are very clear that we will give all of our support to our armed forces to strengthen their capabilities, because, we are living in a volatile and dangerous surrroundings, and the security situation around us is not that pleasant. So, our armed forces have to be ready 24×7. We will strengthen them. The modernisation of our armed forces is the top most priority of our government,” said Antony.
In the last four years, there has been no shortage in ou Defence budget. We have spent the whole amount. This year, right up to the first week of February, we have spent 92% of our capital budget. Only 8% is left for the remaining two months,†he added.
There are many new procurement proposals in the pipeline. “There is no question of slackening in the modernisation of the armed forces. We will give top most priority to modernisation. We will speed up the procurement process, but I appeal to all, that whatever be the criticism, we will not compromise on transparency. The guilty will be punished.