New Delhi: Government on March 12 said it would not be possible to lay down a time limit for a major procurement project such as Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

"However, government is keen on finalisation of the deal," Defence Minister George Fernandes said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha, adding two vendors namely BAE for the Hawk Aircraft and Dassault Aviation for the Alpha Jet Aircraft had been short-listed.

As far as purchase of submarines are concerned, Mazagon Docks Limited, Mumbai, has been identified as the yard to ultimately construct French designed submarines on successful completion of negotiations with the French company Armaris.

However, no final decision on the proposal has been taken, Fernandes said.

PTI