11th Defence Plan document almost ready: Antony

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony today said the 11th Defence Plan document, which was almost ready, would help in addressing various issues pertaining to the development, modernisation and upgradation of military hardware and system.

Addressing the Army Commanders' Conference here, he said the 11th Defence Plan document had nearly been completed.

''It will help in addressing various issues pertaining to the development, modernisation and upgradation of military hardware and systems,'' Mr Antony added.

He also informed that the Defence Procurement Procedures were being further streamlined to optimise transparency and fairness in the acquisition process.

The Defence Minister advised the financial planners to utilise the allocated resources in such a way that the funds earmarked were neither surrendered nor squandered.

''We are also laying emphasis on reducing revenue expenditure and at the same time utilising funds for capital acquisitions and modernisation,'' he added.

Reiterating modernisation of the armed forces as top priority for the Government, Mr Antony said: ''we remain firmly committed, at the same time, to the process of indigenisation.'' On its part, being the end user, the Army must make conscious efforts to get involved with the designing and development stages of the production of military hardware, so that its concerns and requirements could be effectively addressed, he added.

''All stake holders must work in tandem to enhance our overall defence preparedness,'' the Defence Minister said.

UNI AG MIR HT1922