Was always sure deal was above board: IAF ex-chief

NEW DELHI : Former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief BS Dhanoa on Thursday said that the IAF was absolutely sure that the ~59,000 crore Rafale fighter jet deal with French military planemaker, Dassault Aviation, was above board.

“The price negotiations [for the deal] were done by the then deputy [IAF] chief [Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria] who is now the chief of air staff. We were absolutely sure the deal was above board, “said Dhanoa, explaining why the IAF countered allegations of irregularities in the deal. “...When we defended the deal, we were criticised for making a political statement. We were, however, defending the deal on merit,” said Dhanoa, who retired in September.

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a batch of petitions seeking a review of its December 2018 verdict that dismissed pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into alleged irregularities in the deal. “I am happy the Supreme Court has stood by its earlier judgement,’’ said Dhanoa. “I sincerely hope [the Supreme Court’s ruling on Thursday] lays to rest all controversy and allows the IAF to do its duty and to acquire new platforms that are required.”

Dhanoa said the Rafale fighters are superb. “We must understand that the fighters are critical for India. The two squadrons of Rafale, an additional Russian made SU-30MKI and two more squadrons of indigenously-made Light Combat Aircraft [Tejas] will give us the required muscle.”

In October last year, Dhanoa had defended the deal amid sharp attacks from the Congress and other opposition parties.