There is a difference between defence dealings and dealing in defence. We don’t do defence dealings. We deal in defence with national security as a priority.
Our Correspondent / NEW DELHI
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today hit back at the Congress over its charges on Rafale aircraft deal saying its entire campaign on the issue is based on falsehood.
Replying to a debate on Rafale deal in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Ms Sitharaman said, the Congress is misleading the country both in Parliament and outside on basis of untruth.
She said, the NDA government has done a better deal than the UPA.
The basic price of the fighter aircraft deal is 9 per cent cheaper than the deal during UPA times. She said, the price of basic aircraft is 670 crore rupees during the present government as against 737 crore rupees during UPA.
The Minister, however,said, under the secrecy clause the price of weaponised aircraft cannot be disclosed as earlier governments were also followed it.
What defence Minister said
Congress is shedding crocodile tears for HAL; Congress govt gave 53 waivers to HAL; we have given contracts worth Rs 1 lakh crore
First aircraft will be delivered in September 2019 and 36 aircraft will be delivered in 2022; process of negotiation was finished in 14 months
There is a difference between defence dealings and dealing in defence; we deal in defence with national security as a priority; Congress did not intend buying the jets; for every ‘AA’, there is a ‘Q’ and ‘RV’
This country needs to know that defence purchases are national security related and very important, whether they are in power or we are
Emergency purchases are always two squadrons. In 1982, when Pak was buying F-16s, Indian gvt then decided to buy 2 squadrons of MIG-23 MF from erstwhile Soviet Union, in ’85 again 2 squadrons of Mirage 2000 bought from France & in ’87- 2 squadrons of MIG-29.
There is a difference between defence dealings and dealing in defence. We don’t do defence dealings. We deal in defence with national security as a priority.
On the issue of not involving Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, HAL in the deal, Mrs Sitharaman said, the aircraft manufactured by France will be cheaper than the aircraft made by the HAL as it required 2.7 times more manpower.
She asked the Congress what they did with the HAL when they were in power. She said, it is NDA government which has given a contract worth one lakh crore rupees to it for defence related equipments and others.
The Minister said, there is a difference between defence dealings and dealing in defence and we deal in defence with national security as a priority.
She said, the Supreme Court in its judgement also find no reason for intervention on the issue of purchasing 36 aircraft and perception of individuals cannot be the basis of an inquiry. The discussion is continuing.