Air Force chief BS Dhanoa supports Govt on Rafale deal

Jalandhar, November 17: The Indian Air Force (IAF) chief BS Dhanoa on Thursday made the clarification over the purchase of 36 French fighter aircraft Rafale and said that there was no overpricing in the purchase as the government had negotiated a very good deal.

 

During a press briefing at Adampur Air Force Station where two units of Indian Air Force were awarded President’s Standard by President Ram Nath Kovind, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said, “It is not overpricing, We have negotiated for 36 French fighter aircraft Rafale (at a price) lower than that in the contract. The government has negotiated a very good deal,”

Further stressing that it was a “government-to-government contract”, the Air Force Chief said that the IAF was getting 36 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) at a greatly negotiated price. “It is definitely a better deal. It is lower than what was there in the MRMCA contract,” BS Dhanoa added.

The IAF chief also said, “We have purchased two aircraft in a flyaway condition as an emergency measure. We are getting 50 percent offset. Technology may not be going to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) but it is coming to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and then to a lot of Indians.”

The statement from Air Force Chief came amidst allegations of Congress party that Prime Minister Modi changed entire Rafale deal to benefit a businessman. Meanwhile, BJP has downplayed these allegations.