Rafale row: IAF chief defends govt purchase, highlights why fighter jets are critical for India

"Whenever the government felt the airpower element of the defence forces is likely to be in a disadvantageous position, it has gone in for emergency purchases of the aircraft under the umbrella of the inter-governmental agreement," Dhanoa said. 

(Photo: PTI)

The government is procuring a batch of S-400 air defence missile system from Russia. 

"By providing the Rafale and S-400, the government is strengthening the IAF to counter the shortfalls of our depleting numbers," Air Force chief BS Dhanoa said.

(Photo: AFP)

Justifying the decision to go for only two Rafale squadrons, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said India procured two squadrons of MiG 23 MF jets after Pakistan received first lot of F-16 aircraft in 1983. He said, in 1985, two squadrons of Mirage 2000 were procured from France, and later two squadrons of MiG 29 were purchased from the then Soviet Union.

"All these procurements were under the umbrella of inter-governmental agreement (IGA)," he said. He said acquisitions under IGA are "faster" and quickest means of achieving operational capability of the IAF. 

(Photo: PTI)

The IAF chief said though India was facing a grave security threat, its combat squadron has come down to 31 from sanctioned strength of 42 which is a matter of concern. Each fighter squadron has 16-18 aircraft.

(Photo: PTI)

India was facing a unique situation of having two nuclear armed neighbours -- China and Pakistan -- on its borders and the intentions of the adversaries could change overnight, Dhanoa said.

"Indian armed forces are operating in a unique environment. Presently, there are very few countries which are facing security challenges as grave as ours," the IAF chief said, referring to threats from Pakistan and China. 

"India's neighbours are not sitting idle.... We have a unique situation of having two nuclear armed neighbours on our borders. No other country in the world has this kind of a situation," he said.

(Photo: ANI)

Asked whether the political slugfest relating to Rafale has affected morale of the IAF personnel, Dhanoa said "no".

(Photo: PIB)

Sources said Deputy Chief of Air Staff R Nambiar is flying to France on Sunday to review various technical tests on the Rafale jets being readied for supply to India.

Asked at the seminar whether IAF has a plan to procure two more squadrons of Rafale jets, Nambiar said the force wanted 126 Rafale jets. He said IAF is in the process of 114 fighter jets and Rafale would be one of the contenders for it.

(Photo: Twitter@CIIEvents)

Speaking at the seminar, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) in Chief of Central Command SBP Sinha said deal under the UPA government could not go through because of "irresolvable differences" between HAL and Dassault Aviation on transfer of technology and who will be responsible for manufacturing of 108 aircraft in India.

(Photo: Dassault Aviation)

Sinha said the cost of 18 "fly-away" Rafale was "firmly" known while the cost of 108 Rafale, which was to be manufactured in India, was not known. Sinha was part of the cost negotiation committee for procurement of Rafale under the UPA regime.

Sinha said 36 Rafale jets will come with "best in class" weapons and avionics which will "exponentially enhance" combat potential of the IAF.

(Photo: Dassault Aviation)

The Modi government signed a government-to-government deal with France for purchase of 36 Rafale jets at a cost of Rs 58,000 crore on September 23, 2016. The delivery of the aircraft will start from September 2019.

Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal and attacking the government for procuring just 36 jets when IAF required 126 jets.

(Photo: Reuters)