Article Posted on : - Dec 10, 2012

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Government has decided to allow the Indian Army to have its own heavy duty attack helicopter fleet, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Monday.

"Yes... the decision to vest the future inductions of attack helicopters with the Army has been taken keeping in view the operational requirements in the field," Antony told Lok Sabha in a written reply.

He was asked if it has been decided to let the Army have its own heavy duty attack chopper fleet.

The Army, which has been demanding control over attack and medium-lift helicopters, was recently allowed by the Defence Ministry to have its own combat chopper fleet.

Meanwhile, in reply to a written query on FDI in defence sector, Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh said, "FDI amounting to Rs 19.89 crore has been received in defence industry sector from January 2001 to September 2012."

He made it clear that the Government was not considering any proposal to further liberalise the investment policy to promote FDI in defence sector.