Badmer (Rajasthan), Apr 11: The defence ministry has cleared the proposal for procurement of British-made Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) and sent it for approval to the finance ministry. "The procurement proposal for the AJT has been cleared by the defence ministry and the recommendations have been sent to the finance ministry for its approval," defence minister George Fernandes told reporters today after opening a poly-clinic here today.
Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, who accompanied Fernandes, assured that there will be no delay by his ministry in taking a decision.
However, Singh said that final decision for the procurement would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security.

The decision on the procurement of AJT is hanging fire since 1984. Although a decision to purchase AJTs has been taken in principle, government has not reached the single vendor stage as yet, sources said.
Any deal on AJTs would involve delivery of some aircraft and production of the rest in the country.

Bureau Report