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In a virtual snub to the UK, which protested India’s selection of French-built Rafale fighter jet for the medium multi-role aircraft (MMRCA) deal, Defence Minister AK Antony on Friday said defence procurement is not based on “political considerations” and the only criteria is technical feasibility and “lowest price.”
India last month selected Rafale, manufactured by Dassault, as the lowest bidder for the over 12 billion dollar deal. Eurofighter (consortium of UK, Italy, Spain and Germany) lost out in the race. It led to an uproar in Britain and the issue also figured in parliament there with Prime Minister David Cameroon urging India to reconsider its decision.
Reacting for the first time to UK’s protest, Antony said that the Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC) has started for the procurement of Rafale and that the Indian foreign policy and relations with any country have no connection with procurement of weapon systems. “Procurement is based on trials by services and lowest price. There will be no other consideration,” Antony said.
Asked about reasons for deferring the proposal to clear the Pilatus trainer aircraft deal of the IAF, the Defence Minister said, “At every stage, we want to be absolutely clear that everything has gone as per the Defence Procurement Procedure and is transparent.” The IAF is planning to buy 75 Pilatus basic trainer aircraft from Switzerland and the proposal in this regard is yet to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security.
India last month selected Rafale, manufactured by Dassault, as the lowest bidder for the over 12 billion dollar deal. Eurofighter (consortium of UK, Italy, Spain and Germany) lost out in the race. It led to an uproar in Britain and the issue also figured in parliament there with Prime Minister David Cameroon urging India to reconsider its decision.
Reacting for the first time to UK’s protest, Antony said that the Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC) has started for the procurement of Rafale and that the Indian foreign policy and relations with any country have no connection with procurement of weapon systems. “Procurement is based on trials by services and lowest price. There will be no other consideration,” Antony said.
Asked about reasons for deferring the proposal to clear the Pilatus trainer aircraft deal of the IAF, the Defence Minister said, “At every stage, we want to be absolutely clear that everything has gone as per the Defence Procurement Procedure and is transparent.” The IAF is planning to buy 75 Pilatus basic trainer aircraft from Switzerland and the proposal in this regard is yet to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security.
