Dassault yet to transfer technology: CAG

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 23

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in a report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, said Dassault Aviation — the maker of Rafale fighter aircraft — had so far not confirmed the transfer of high technology for jet engine.

In a statement, CAG said in the offset contract related to the 36 Rafale jets, Dassault Aviation and European missile maker MBDA had initially proposed (in September 2015) to discharge 30 per cent of their offset obligation by offering high technology to the DRDO.

“The DRDO wanted technical assistance for the indigenous development of its engine (Kaveri) for the light combat aircraft. Till date, the vendor has not confirmed the transfer of this technology,” CAG said. “Offset obligation” is the stipulated share of work that the foreign manufacturer is obligated to get done in India.

The CAG report, Management of Defence Offsets, said it was found in many cases that foreign vendors made offset commitments to qualify for the main supply contract, but were later not earnest about fulfilling these commitments. The CAG statement cited the example of Rafale for this.