No compromise on transparency in defence procurement: Antony

Defence Minister A.K. Antony said on Thursday that 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 that there would be no compromise on this score.

Interacting with media after opening Defexpo India 2014 here, Antony, replying to a question on whether recent defence purchases from abroad had compromised the integrity of the procurement process, said: "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 24x7. We will strengthen them. The modernisation of our armed forces is the top most priority of our government. In the last four years, there has been no shortage in ou defence budget. We have spent the whole amount. This year, right upto the first week of February, we have spent 92 per cent of our capital budget. Only eight per cent is left for the remaining two months," he added.

He further revealed that 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," Antony said.