Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating 11 cases of allegations of kickbacks and corruption in the purchase of defence equipment.

"Six of these cases have been filed as regular cases while five others are preliminary inquiries," Defence Minister A K Antony told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

Asserting that transparency was paramount in all defence deals, Antony told the House that whenever allegations of corruption in the deals were received, they were seriously looked into by his ministry.

"Whenever considered necessary, the cases are referred to CBI," the minister said, but citing national interest did not disclose the details or cases which were being inquired into.

The filing of cases comes in the backdrop of the defence ministry clearing deals worth more than $7 billion over the past five years ranging from purchase of submarines, tanks, fighters, radars, missiles and advanced jet trainers.

Antony said the Government had laid down elaborate procedures for procurement of defence equipment, weapons and stores and these were periodically reviewed as per the guidelines prescribed by the Central Vigilance commission.

The minister told the House that some complaints of irregularities in procurement of computers were received and probed.