Question : REVIEW OF DEFENCE DEALS

(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned `Defence deals to be reviewed` as reported in the Statesman dated March 30, 2001;

(b) if so, whether the recent Tehelka expose has forced the Government to re-examine the signing of several defence deals;

(c) whether it has affected the whole modernisation programme of Armed Forces;

(d) if so, the details of the defence projects which have been affected due to Tehelka expose and the steps taken by the Government to ensure modernisation of defence forces timely?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI JASWANT SINGH)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) to (d): There is no proposal under consideration for re-examination of any of the defence acquisitions. Modernisation is a continuous process, therefore, review of defence projects whenever undertaken is without compromising the defence preparedness of the country.