HAL was capable of making jets when the talks of Rafale deal were going on between India and France, says HAL chairman R Madhavan.
New Delhi| Hindustan Aeronautical Limited chairman R Madhavan on Saturday said that the company was capable of making jets when the talks were going on between India and France. His comments came amidst the controversy over Rafale deal that hit Indian politics almost a year ago. The Rafale issue was even raised in the parliament by opposition alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi renegotiated the deal to benefit his friend Anil Ambani over state-owned HAL.
Talking about the controversy, Madhavan said that the government needed a quick delivery and thus 36 fighter jets were purchased separately. According to the original deal, the government was to buy 126 jets, out of which 18 were to be purchased in a fly-away condition and rest were to be manufactured by Dassault with their Indian offset partner HAL.
R Madhavan, HAL Chairman on #Rafale: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was capable when the talks were ongoing but to get quick delivery the government bought 36 aircraft separately. 1/2 (21.12.18) pic.twitter.com/AIFAQwuxM0
— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2018
Madhavan said, “If like earlier, 126 aircraft were to be made, some would have been made here and other would have been bought.” “Since now they have bought 36 there’s no question of us making it,” he added.
He also refused to comment on the political controversy saying that HAL is not involved in the deal now.
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