PM-FORCES 2LST

Stressing on the need for having a balance between timely
modernisation and maintaining transparency including
accountability in acquisitions, Singh said, "I am aware that
the procedures for defence acquisitions and procurement are a
matter of concern to the Armed Forces.
"This is an area which requires collective action on all
sides. We must ensure a balance between the needs of timely
modernisation and the necessity of conforming to the highest
standards of transparency, probity and public accountability,"
he added.
Various defence acquisitions such as tenders for
acquisition of 197 helicopters, 22 combat choppers and 180
ultra-light howitzers have been cancelled and reissued,
adversely affecting the modernisation of the armed forces.
On the outlays on defence expenditure, the Prime Minister
said the budget for the armed forces has been going up
"progressively", which should be used judiciously and
efficiently by them.
Highlighting the need for achieving self-reliance in
critical technologies, he said, "Availability of critical
technologies from foreign countries is still subject to
various technology denial regimes. It is therefore vital that
we achieve maximum self-reliance in the critical areas of
defence technology." PTI