A decision on the purchase of Advanced Jet Trainers for the Indian Air Force will be taken at the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security in two weeks, Defence Minister George Fernandes said in Bangalore on Wednesday.
"The proposals are now with the CCS. I have reasons to believe that at its very next meeting in a fortnight it will be cleared for final approval by the Union Cabinet," Fernandes said.
Asked whether L1 512 of the Czech Republic was in the race along with the British Hawk for the £1.2 billion AJT deal, Fernandes said he would not be able to say much except that the latter was in contention.
"The deal will, however, be finalised during the current fiscal year (2002-03). At this point of time, I cannot say whose AJT we are finalising. That is up to the CCS to decide," Fernandes added.
"The ministry's proposals contain all the details. They are confidential. I cannot discuss them here before they are taken up by the CCS," he added.
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