Defence Minister A K Antony has said the government will further tighten norms to prevent controversies like VVIP chopper deal and rely less on imports. He regretted that corrupt practices continue to take place despite precautions.
Addressing an Army seminar in New Delhi this morning, Mr Antony said indigenation of military hardware is the ultimate answer to avoid controversies. He asked the armed forces to change their mindset of relying on imports to meet operational requirements. He said the need to maintain transparency, honesty and sincerity at every stage cannot be compromised. In spite of taking so many precautions, again here and there, things are happening.
He said whenever allegations are made, the government has to go the root and find the truth and punish the guilty. He said the Government will have a second look at its policies on defence production and defence procurement to speed up indigenisation in mission mode.