It is unfortunate that the Union Defence Minister seems ignorant about the facts in matters of national security (“Centre defends Rafale deal, cites dire IAF needs”, November 18). The following is the timeline of events which can be corroborated using media reports and official Government notifications.
In 2001, the IAF projected the initial requirement, and not 2000 as stated by the Defence Minister.
Due to changes in the defence procurement process (for transparency, include local production offset clause and technology transfer, in 2007, the RFP was approved; in 2008, the tender was issued.
On December 18, 2010, the Indian Air Force completed technical evaluation. In April 2011, the Rafale and the Typhoon were shortlisted. In November 2011, the financial bids were submitted and opened. In January 2012, the Rafale won the competition due to a lower bid. In February 2012, Dassault formed a joint venture with Reliance Industries Ltd. and insisted that RIL be the local manufacturer, contrary to the tender which stated HAL. Dassault escalated the costs which further delayed negotiations.
In March 2014, it was agreed that HAL would produce 70% of the 126 fighters.
In July 2015, the BJP government scrapped the deal and bought 36 from France instead of the 126 that IAF had wanted originally.
Hence, the BJP government achieved three goals: remove an opportunity to locally produce an advanced fighter through a public sector unit, HAL. The 36 fighters were bought off the shelf. There is no local production and no technology transfer. This goes against the BJP’s “Make in India” slogan. The purchase of 36 Rafales has been in a non-transparent manner instead of 126 that the IAF wanted.
Thousands of jobs have been created in France. And in India?
Madhusudan G.,
Concord, New Hampshire, U.S.