Question : IMPACTS OF US SANCTIONS ON INDIAN DEFENCE CAPABILITIES

(a) whether the US sanctions against India and Britain’s apparent inability to act independently of them are jeopardising India’s defence capabilities as reportedly stated by the Defence Minister and published in ‘The Indian Express’ dated June 18, 2000;

(b) whether this leaves the Navy with fewer functioning aircrafts;

(c) whether this has also weaken the Indian Air Force’s defence capabilities;

(d) if so, whether any concrete steps have been taken in forcing the UK Government to find a way out of the situation, and get back the Indian Jets/Helicopters sent there for repair; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The Indian Navy has not been able to fully exploit its fleet of Seaking, Sea Harrier and Islander Aircraft procured from UK. The Aircraft product support from various firms in UK has been inadequate after imposition of US sanctions.

(c) No, Sir.

(d) & (e) : The matter has been taken up with the Government of the UK from time to time at various levels. The Government of UK have informed that despite its efforts, the US Government has not agreed to relax sanctions on spares/components for Seaking Helicopters. During his visit to the UK in June 2000, the Raksha Mantri also raised the matter with his British counterpart and the British Trade & Industry Minister. The British Ministers assured that they would continue to make efforts to resolve the matter. It is also proposed to take up these issues at the level of Defence Secretary during the next meeting of Indo-British Defence Consultative Group scheduled to be held at the end of July 2000 in London.

One Sea Harrier aircraft is presently undergoing repairs with M/s British Aerospace, UK. The aircraft repair is likely to be completed by November 2000. No Seaking Helicopter is presently under repairs in UK.