Sitharaman claims Rafale deal 9% cheaper, UPA Govt framed rules for pvt players’ role
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has blamed the previous UPA Government for ignoring the interests of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Indian Air Force (IAF) and claimed that the NDA Government is getting 36 Rafale fighter jets at a rate nine per cent cheaper than what was agreed upon by the then UPA Government.
Speaking at the Indian Women’s Press Corps, Sitharaman reacted to former Defence Minister AK Antony’s allegations, saying, “The deal didn’t happen during the UPA. What also didn’t happen during the UPA was that the HAL and the Dassault couldn’t agree on production terms. So the HAL and Rafale couldn’t go together. Doesn’t that very clearly say who didn’t go with the HAL? Under which Government did that happen? So saying that the NDA Government did not take care of HAL is absolutely misplaced. Neither the HAL nor Air Force’s interests was taken care of by the UPA.”
Refuting the Congress’ charge that the Government preferred Reliance Defence to collaborate with Dassault overlooking the HAL, Sitharaman said the rules framed by the previous Congress-led coalition Government had allowed the foreign companies to enter into deal with private companies. Sitharaman also accused the UPA Government of not finalising the Rafale deal for years. “Why didn’t the agreement happen?,” she asked.
The Defence Minister said, “The UPA Government could have strengthened the HAL. Every question should actually go to them. They didn’t take care of the HAL.”
She said Antony is a very senior leader, and having been in the Ministry before her, he understands the negotiations. Sitharaman added the Rafale negotiations were not “over the counter” purchases.
This assertion came after Antony questioned why the Centre did not buy 126 aircraft. Sitharaman said 126 jets will also have to be bought on order and, therefore, will have a timeline and follow all related conditions like escalation costs.
Responding to questions on the Congress’s allegations against the Government over the Rafale deal, the Minister said, “We have responded saying your basic price and the basic price that I am getting at, when compared with all the escalation and other things, is 9 per cent cheaper.”
