On Rafale deal, Nirmala Sitharaman says ‘internal differences are not dissent’ 

Nirmala Sitharaman.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the differences that came up during the internal discussions on the Rafale deal cannot be considered as “dissent”. She further claimed that the criticism on ordering only 36 jets was neglected as some of the original 126 aircrafts are going to be manufactured locally under a new “Made in India” scheme.

In an exclusive interview to Economic Times, Sitharaman said: “What we have done is we ordered two squadrons in place of one, 36 in place of 18. Earlier, 108 were to be produced if Dassault and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) had agreed. For that, we have gone for a RFI (global competition). Where is the number reduced? If anything, in fly-away condition we are getting more than what they had.”

Sitharaman said she was leaving for France where she will address to air force and naval facilities.

Sitharaman said: “While the discussion happens, that one voice which is different would have been answered. In this specific case of Rafale, after the final discussions one position was taken by everybody. When I say everybody, even this particular person who had a different voice, not a dissent voice during the discussion, was on the same page as everyone else.”

Sitharaman said, “Introspection is needed on why the public sector unit has been unable to produce Sukhoi fighter aircraft at a competitive price and stated that an exercise was on to determine cost overheads impacting the organization.” She also said the S-400 deal has been done in “national interest” and that the system was a “critical requirement”.

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