New Delhi, January 21, 2008 (DefenceIndia News Service)

The first Indian 'military outpost' abroad is nearing completion in Tajikistan but "some technical problems" are hindering its full-fledged functioning, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Monday.

"The base in Tajikistan is almost complete. But some technical problems are there," Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Department of Defence Production here.

However, he did not specify what were the "problems" encountered by India in this regard.

There are about 150 Indian military personnel already stationed at the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan.

Last week, Antony and his Tajik counterpart Khairullaev Sherali held talks here on the issue.

Official sources said the bone of contention was what kind of aircraft should be stationed at the Ayni airbase.

To a question on the delay in the procurement of Gorshkov aircraft carrier, Antony said the discussion were on.

Earlier addressing the seminar 'Synergising Defence, Industries and Technologies through Standardisation', the Minister said there is a need for standardisation as it provides the only answer to rationalise procurement and its effective use.

"Standardisation provides the only answer to rationalise the number of items procured, stocked, maintained, transported and used effectively by the military," he said.

"We need to intensify standardisation and codification if we have to avoid a logistics nightmare," Antony added.

(PTI)