The Minister, however, declined to disclose in public interest the likely time by which the test-firing of the two missiles was to take place.

Radio Signals:

He told another questioner that the government was aware of attempts made by outside powers to intercept defence and other government communication and assured that all precautions were taken to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive communications.

In reply to another question, the Government admitted that the procurement of T-90 tanks from Russia was being contemplated but denied as `not true' that the same had been rejected earlier.

Fernandes told the questioners that these tanks had already been evaluated in the first quarter of 1998 in Russia and would be subjected tosummer trials in India in the ensuing summer.

In another answer the Minister said the question of the German Government refusing to supply two more SSK class submarines did not arise as the Indian Government had not made such a request. He said plans had been drawn up for indigenous construction of submarines to meet the country's naval requirements.