The noise around the Rafale deal

The

Congress has accused the Modi government of causing ‘ insurmountable loss’ of taxpayers’ money by signing the Rafale deal worth ` 58,000 crores. It also claimed that the Anil Ambani- led Reliance Defence Limited had been unfairly picked to be the French firm’s Indian partner.

The Congress alleged that the cost of each aircraft is three times more than what the previous UPA had negotiated with France in 2012. The Indian Air Force has been pushing for this because, Dassault could also help with upgradation of Mirage 2000 H fighter jets.

But what needs to be explained is the urgency behind making an emergency deal, when the previous government had already negotiated a cheaper, better, more comprehensive deal that would have given India many more jet fighters to fill the gap in defense preparedness. The 36 jets which are being procured on an emergency basis will be supplied only by 2019- 22.

2000

Proposal was floated during Vajpayee’s rein for advance jet fighters as part of modernisation of the Indian Air Force.

2007

Process initiated by then then Manmohan Singh’s government.

2012

The UPA- II government zeroed in on Rafale jets and the deal was inked with Dassault for 126 multirole combat aircrafts.

2014

A deal was negotiated for manufacturing in India under ToT by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, with work share agreement reached between Dassault and HAL for 30- 70 per cent respectively. But this was was cancelled by Modi.

2015

After Modi came to power, India and France announced a government- to- government deal to acquire 36 Rafale jets in fly- away condition during Modi’s visit to France.