Dassault laughing all the way to the bank, says Chidambaram on Rafale

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 18

The Congress on Friday revived the Rafale jet purchase debate with veteran P Chidambaram citing fresh media reports to say that the controversy is very much alive and demanding the constitution of a joint parliamentary committee to probe the matter.

If the government thought it could give a quiet burial to the issue it was wrong, the former minister said saying Rafale makers, the French firm Dassault were laughing all the way to the bank.

The Congress questioned the ruling BJP over reducing the Rafale orders from 126 aircraft to 36 accusing the government of compromising national security and giving a gift to Dassault.

“The IAF asked for 126 jets but the government settled for 36. Why? Is this not compromising national security? The Defence Minister keeps saying the government bought 36 aircraft in fly-away condition instead of 18 the UPA was to buy. What she has not answered is why the government didn’t buy the rest of the 90 aircraft for which the Indian Air Force has raised the demand,” said Chidambaram.

He alleged that the government paid euro 25 million more per aircraft as compared to the UPA price.

“This is my calculation depending on new facts. It seems Dassault is laughing all the way to the bank. The government has wronged the country in two ways. First, it has compromised national security by denying the Air Force 90 aircraft they desperately need. Second, it has purchased two squadrons that will cost euro 25 million more per aircraft,” Chidambaram alleged.

He said at the 2016 exchange rate the enhanced cost per aircraft came to Rs 186 crore per jet.