New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has ultimately brought out the truth that the Modi govt tried to suppress all these years on why it reduced the UPA order of 126 to 36 Rafale fighter jets.
Contradicting Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s claim that the Indian Air Force (IAF) did not have infrastructure and other technical requirements to buy more, Gadkari told journalist Karan Thapar in an interview that the financial considerations were behind the scaling down of the Rafale order.
“How can you advise me that you can take 100 planes? At least we need that much money to spend them, so it is depending upon the government’s financial position to purchase 36,” Gadkari said.
He, however, made it clear when probed further that India will certainly buy more fighter jets. “Anything, anywhere you purchase, you take first phase, second phase, third phase and then you increase. Suppose, after 36 planes, if there is an availability of new technology, new plane with a cheaper price, then we are free to purchase that, why we should purchase from Rafale?”
Congress chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala jumped over Gadkari”s interview to tweet: “Finally, truth is out.”
“National Security stumped by a pseudo nationalist Modi Govt. “No of Rafale aircraft reduced from 126 to 36 for saving money, overruling Air force & Nation”s security,” Surjewala said.
