Former Defence minister AK Antony’s questions killed tender process of Rafale jets: Parrikar

Former Defence Minister AK Antony's had put a question mark on India’s multi-billion tender process to buy 126 Rafale fighter jets, due to which the deal was doomed, said Manohar Parrikar to Hindustan times.

According to the report, picking holes in the method applied to determine Dassault Aviation as the lowest bidder, Parrikar questioned the tendering process of medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA).

He also said that the UPA government had taken hold of the 'wrong end of the stick'.  

During his visit to France, marking a breakthrough in the protracted talks in the French Rafale jet deal, PM Modi announced that India will purchase 36 of these fighter planes that are ready to fly, citing critical operational requirement of the IAF.

India and France were locked in negotiations for three years over the purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets valued at US $12 billion but has been bogged down over cost and Dassault Aviation's reluctance to stand guarantee for 108 planes to be made by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL).

Earlier, Defence minister had said, "The deal struck with France for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets will bring some "oxygen" to the Indian Air Force into which they will be inducted within two years.

He described India's decision to buy these fighters after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande in Paris on April 10 as 'great', saying it will go a long way in strengthening the IAF.