Pakistani officers trained on Rafale jets? 'Fake news', says French ambassador
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Apr 11, 2019, 14:10 ISTHighlights
- A media report had claimed that Pakistani exchange officers trained on Rafale jets which were delivered to Qatar
- 'This is fake news,' French ambassador, Alexandre Ziegler officially denied the report
- the jets were delivered to Qatar as part of Euro 6.3 billion agreement in May 2015
NEW DELHI: Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler on Thursday refuted a report that Rafale fighter jets in Qatar were used to train Pakistan officers.
"This is fake news," French ambassador, Alexandre Ziegler officially denied to TOI that Pakistani Air Force pilots were trained on Rafale jets.
Earlier, a media report had alleged that Qatar was handed over the first lot of Rafale fighter jets and "Pakistani exchange officers" were the first batch of pilots to be trained for Qatar in November 2017.
According to the report, the jets were delivered to Qatar as part of Euro 6.3 billion agreement for the purchase of 24 Rafale jets in May 2015.
Shortly after the media report came out, Congress's national media coordinator Rachit Seth said that the report is a worrying for India.
There were concerns in the Indian military establishment after the report by the US-based website.
The report came in the midst of a simmering political slugfest over procurement of Rafale jets by the Modi government from France.
India is procuring a batch of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France at a cost of Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal while the government has strongly rejected the charges.
"This is fake news," French ambassador, Alexandre Ziegler officially denied to TOI that Pakistani Air Force pilots were trained on Rafale jets.
I can confirm that it is fake news. https://t.co/3XpPnfPqUc
— Alexandre Ziegler (@FranceinIndia) 1554967135000Earlier, a media report had alleged that Qatar was handed over the first lot of Rafale fighter jets and "Pakistani exchange officers" were the first batch of pilots to be trained for Qatar in November 2017.
According to the report, the jets were delivered to Qatar as part of Euro 6.3 billion agreement for the purchase of 24 Rafale jets in May 2015.
Shortly after the media report came out, Congress's national media coordinator Rachit Seth said that the report is a worrying for India.
There were concerns in the Indian military establishment after the report by the US-based website.
The report came in the midst of a simmering political slugfest over procurement of Rafale jets by the Modi government from France.
India is procuring a batch of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France at a cost of Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal while the government has strongly rejected the charges.
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