Tearing into Congress for levelling allegations against procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jet, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Congress-led UPA government was 'indecisive' for ten years to address critical necessity of fighter jets for Indian Air Force.
"Bickering on price by the main opposition party is shameful. Between 2004 and 2014, the entire decade, the UPA government could not come to a decision. Therefore when we came to power in 2014, we had to move forward so that the Air Force is not left with the need for preparedness," Sitharaman said, while adding that IAF's combat ability was 'grim' when NDA came into power.
She added that the necessity to strengthen combat fleet of the IAF was first mooted in 2000, as the force demanded at least 126 multi medium role combat aircraft (MMRCA). "Previous NDA government did lots of discussions on MMRCA between 2000 and 2004. But then UPA came into power. They did not pay any attention to IAF's requirement for a full decade," Sitharaman briefed media from the MoD's war room in South Block in Delhi.
Defending the cost of the deal, Sitharaman maintained that her ministry got a better deal. "We have obtained a better deal for 36 Rafale jets, which they (UPA) were negotiating for 126," she added.
On Thursday, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanao had also defended the cost of the deal.
In response to the allegations of not following due process for going ahead with the deal, Sitharaman said that the agreement was signed with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in loop and the active participation of her predecessor Manohar Parrikar.
"Allegations by Congress are not only baseless, but also shameful and such bickering was a "disservice" to the armed forces," Sitharaman said by adding that the deal was finalised following a transparent procedure.
Her remarks came a day after the Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of changing the "entire deal" to benefit a businessman, who was even part of the Modi's delegation to Paris in April 2015.
"Wherever the prime minister travels, there is also a business delegation with him. business delegation holds meeting with their counterpart in that country and the prime minister has no role in the talks," she clarified.
The minister said the final agreement for 36 Rafale jets was signed in September 2016, after five rounds of lengthy discussions between Indian and French sides and approval by the CCS.
IAF had signed a Euro 7.87 billion (approx Rs 59,000 crore) deal with the French government for purchase of 36 fighter jets under flyway condition from Dassault Aviations, the manufacturer.
IAF is desperate to increase its combat strength—a key concern—which has been raised by the force on many occasions. IAF at present is operating with 32 squadrons and on the verge of losing out more squadrons as MiG 21 and MiG 27 fleeting is ageing and the Air Force would achieve its sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons by 2032. IAF will have 83 indigenous Light Combat Aircaft Tejas, 36 Rafale and 36 additional Sukhoi fighter jets by end of 2019.
