Promising to uphold transparency in all dealings, the new Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday said he would be guided by national interest in all aspects.
NEW DELHI: Promising to uphold transparency in all dealings, the new Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday said he would be guided by national interest in all aspects.
"In all aspects we will try to protect national interest. That is a priority," Antony said after assuming office answering a volley of questions on how he proposed to deal with middlemen in arms deals.
Antony brushed aside insinuations that probes into defence deals were being used to settle political scores, saying it would not be proper for him to over-react unless he was fully aware of the facts in the sensitive ministry.
"We are living in a democracy, that too a transparent democracy. Every action of a public man, whether a minister or official or parliamentarian is being scanned by the people. That fact everyone should be aware of," the new minister said.
While emphasising that the modernisation drive in the armed forces would continue, the Kerala strongman who has twice been the chief minister of the state, said he would react on policy matters after receiving a detailed briefing.
The minister held discussions with Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt and other top officials on Tuesday night after being sworn in.
"They briefed me about conditions in important divisions. Some important areas like modernisation were brought to my attention, including the problems of the armed forces in general," Antony said.
He said the meeting was very brief and he could not react on its basis alone.
Later, the minister chaired a full meeting of all officials above joint secretary level of the defence department, defence production, defence finance and the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
"The three service chiefs, Admiral Arun Prakash, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi and General JJ Singh called on him to brief him about their services.
Known for his integrity and honesty, Antony takes charge of the Defence Ministry at a crucial time when the armed forces are poised to make some big-ticket weapon platform purchases.
The Indian Air Force is on the verge of floating the country's biggest international tender for purchase of 126 medium role combat aircraft, besides going in for acquisition of quick reaction low-level missiles and more radars and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Army is also concluding contracts for purchase of upgraded 155MM .52 calibre artillery guns and 197 light helicopters for use in high altitude areas.
SWS defence of Sweden and Israeli Soltam guns are vying for the army contract, with the fourth round of field trial evaluation -- being done for the first time -- about to be completed.
The Navy is bidding for purchase of more Russian Krivack class stealth warships and platforms for turning the force network centric.
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