Cong raises questions, asks BJP to publish final details of contract

The move of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France has come under serious attack from principal Opposition party Congress. 

Raising several questions over the Rs 59,000-crore Rafale fighter jet deal, the Congress on Saturday said the absence of any provision of technology transfer would cost India “very heavily”. 

Accusing the Centre of not being serious about strengthening “critical and volatile” Indian Air Force, former Defence Minister A K Antony said: “During the UPA regime, we had planned to buy 126 aircraft to strengthen the IAF. Now that has been reduced to 36 aircraft.”

Speaking at a press conference along with party spokesperson Manish Tewari at the AICC headquarters, Antony further added: “As per IAF, 126 was the minimum requirement for their urgent operational requirements. 

Sanctioned strength of fighter jets in the IAF is 42 squadrons, and of late, the situation was becoming critical and volatile. The IAF needs more squadrons, the current availability of fighter jets is 32 squadrons and by 2022 this will reduce to 25.” 

“What is the government’s plan? How will they bridge the gap with respect to China and Pakistan, who are building up their air strength?” Antony asked. He also lamented that the idea of Make in India which was there in the original plan has also “gone” in the present deal. Antony also demanded making public the inter-governmental agreement with France.

“Today, we read inspired pieces in some media, which claim the present government has saved money by hard negotiations. That’s not true,” Antony said, adding that the UPA government was not able to enter into a final contract. Price negotiations were going on.

Citing the complaints of several leaders regarding the high price of Rafale jets, the Congress leader said: “That time I received series of complaints from many responsible quarters including former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha about the price.”

India had decided to ink the deal for 126 Rafale jets in 2012. The deal was estimated to cost $10.2 billion and the plan was to acquire 18 aircraft in flyaway condition and manufacture the rest in India.