On Friday Subramanian Swamy who is a BJP leader told that he will approach court and take legal recourse if Rafale aircraft deal was finalised by the centre since there was serious deficiencies in those jets. If PM Mr Modi decides to go ahead to deal with this aircraft under some pressure then Swamy would approach the court by putting a PIL plea to set aside the deal. Swamy also stated that in Libya and Egypt this French aircraft’s performance was considered the worst among all the aircrafts.
In PM’s visit to France, India has requested France to provide 36 Rafale fighter jets in a government-to-government contract which is negotiated by Ministry of Defence with Dassault who are Rafale’s manufacturer.
Major issues relating to this Rafales are that they were less fuel efficient and that none of the countries had asked for it and so it will be embarrassment to the present government of India. India has got these aircrafts in a cheaper rate as it is a government to government deal.
Negotiations over the price of the jets were still going on but it is considered that nearly 10% lower price has been quoted for these 36 jets as stated by the experts. India is in the process of creating anindigenous nuclear submarine which is more capable in its working capacity as it can stay under water for more period than with relation to diesel submarine and it needs the help of the French technology for this. 36 Rafale can equip only 2 squadrons. This new deal pops up the question regarding the earlier deal of 126 Rafale fighters and what would happen to that tender. If this earlier tender is rejected by India then a new tender has to be put up which is more time consuming and there is no guarantee that Rafale can be bought again as a winner in it. Another option that India can go ahead with is to follow up the deal with France for more Rafale jets which can include for technology transfer to make them in India. Make in India programme can be dealt with defence sector too.
by Sushma Javare.