Defence Minister A.K. Antony today assured the Lok Sabha that the Armed Forces are ready to meet any eventuality.

They are in a state of operational readiness and have adequate equipment and ammunition. Remedial action is taken to replenish shortages as and when they occur.

Answering questions, he said acquisition of arms and ammunition for the defence forces is a complex process. It is carried out as per the rules laid down under the Defence Procurement Procedure and Defence Procurement Manual.

Mr. Antony said there is a provision for Fast Track Procurement to meet urgent operational needs in a crisis situation. This provision was not used during 2011-12, he said.

In reply to a supplementary, the Minister told the House that India has defence cooperation with 47 countries. The entire allocation on the defence sector was fully spent in the last financial
year.