“I don’t want to satisfy Rahul Gandhi’s ego and reveal details of avionics, ammunition and the changes made as per the country conditions to this sophisticated aircraft”, she said.
Nirmala Sitharaman, the Defence Minister said that she can’t disclose the price of Rafale fighter jets for the reason of national security.
Her remark comes in the wake of Rahul Gandhi’s question to the government to disclose the amount, alleging irregularities in the deal where 36 fighter jets were procured from France.
Marking her remark on the issue, Sitharaman stated, “Rahul Gandhi is fishing for weapons against the government but has not come across anything, so he’s hunting”, she said so at the India Economic Conclave held at New Delhi. She further said, “Rafale is a classic example of inter-governmental agreement to help our air forces. In every way, we have got a good deal, both in terms of preparedness as well as on the price.”
She added, “But revealing the price would mean compromising national security. I don’t want to satisfy Rahul Gandhi’s ego and reveal details of avionics, ammunition and the changes made as per the country conditions to this sophisticated aircraft”.
Both the countries, India and France had signed in an agreement this month on the Exchange and Reciprocal Protection of Classified or Protected Information during the French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit, hence replacing a pact signed earlier in the year 2008.
It elucidates the regulations of the common security that are applicable to any exchange of protected and classified information between the two nations.
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