Thiruvananthapuram: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (Aug 31, 2004) said Rs 11,000 crore would be spent for modernisation of Defence forces this year.

"We are spending Rs 11,000 crore for Defence modernisation this year," Mukherjee told sources at Thiruvanathapuram airport before returning to Delhi after a day's visit to Kerala.

Asked about the progress of work on the Ezhimala Naval Academy (ENA) in North Kerala, he said, "We are working on it and you will come to know about the further progress."

Mukherjee was in Thiruvananthapuram as AICC (All India Congress Committee) observer to oversee the process of selection of the new Chief Minister following resignation of A K Antony.