Strong action has helped streamline defence procurement system: Antony

Defence Minister A.K.Antony on Thursday claimed that the UPA Government's strong action and decisions to curb malpractices and corruption might have created some delay in the defence procurement process, but overall, this has helped to cleanse and streamline the system.

Interacting with media after opening DEFEXPO 2014 here, Antony said: "This is a clear signal to domestic and foreign industry and players that India, in the area of defence, everybody will get an opportunity. If their products are good and their prices are low, there is no need for lobbying. And, if anybody is found guilty, punishment will be very strict. That message has helped us very much."

Ellaborating further, Antony said that while there might have been setbacks in terms of procurement in one or two areas, action has been taken against some companies whenever there was a controversy linked to them.

For instance, he referred to the controversy surrounding the Ordnance Factory Board that occupied media space some years ago. He said that was a blessing in disguise.

"It affected production for sometime, but in a way, it has helped indigenous factories. They have produced under the system. So, these one or two instances have hampered the modernisation plan," Antony said.