Eric Trappier, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dassault Aviation, said there was “no scandal” and the company was prepared to deliver more aircraft, if the Indian government wanted them.

Mr. Trappier said the first Rafale fighter jet will be delivered by September 2019, and thereon, one aircraft will be delivered monthly.

“There is no scandal with Rafale...the Supreme Court said in a certain way that this deal is transparent and clean,” Mr. Trappier said, talking to reporters on the sidelines of Aero India 2019.

While the Opposition has stated that the price per aircraft was costlier than the original deal of 126 aircraft to be produced with HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), the CAG’s recent report had noted that price saving from the new deal was 2.8%.

“It shows that the price is better with the 36 aircraft compared with before...In my evaluation, we made a rebate of 9% compared to the original price,” said Mr. Trappier.

The Dassault head said he was a “little sad” with the politics behind the deal and said the Rafale fighter jet was important for India. “It is going to be the backbone of defence in the country,” he said.