Sitharaman said that Modi government actually increased the fleet capacity of flyaway aircraft (in ready condition) from 18 to 36.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that Rafale deal issue raised by the Congress has not tarnished government's image instead sabotaged the operational needs of the Indian Air Force. She said, "I am afraid of a campaign that Congress is probably doing with half truths and baseless arguments almost sabotaging IAF's operational needs. And strangely it is also worrying that most of these things reflect the support it is getting from our country neighbour. There is no impact on the government, on the contrary, we have been responsive enough to quickly think in terms of operational needs and creating squadron strength."
Addressing media persons during her visit at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Sitharaman said that Modi government actually increased the fleet capacity of flyaway aircraft (in ready condition) from 18 to 36. She said, "The deal which could not take place during the UPA regime talked about buying 18 aircrafts (one squadron) in flyaway condition and rest of the 126 later. However, since the fleet of IAF had come down from 42 to 33, it was decided to buy 2 squadrons (36 fly away aircrafts) as an emergency measure. The first of the planes will be available in September 2019. So we increased the numbers and not reduced them."
When asked about HAL's capability, she said, "The deal with HAL did not work out during UPA's regime.
HAL does a lot of work and their captive consumer is Indian Air Force. Whether they can prodcue Rafale or not was discussed then. It never materialized. What did not happen during that regime should also be remembered."
On talks with Pakistan, she said, "Terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand. Pakistan needs to give convincing answer on what actions it has taken against Hafiz Saeed, recognized by the United Nations as a terrorist. He is given freedom to conduct activities. Moreover, many citizens died in Mumbai attack and yet Pakistan has not taken any action against those handlers or terrorists.
When asked about her comments on another surgical strike announcement by the home minister Rajnath Singh, she refrained to comment and said that she does not need to say anything when the home minister has commented.
On attempts of terror outfits to use Hawala racket via Dubai to send money in India, she said that forces and other agencies are aware of the same.
TAKING THE OFFENSIVE
- The minister refrained to comment on another surgical strike announcement made by the Home Minister, saying that she does not need to say anything
- On attempts of terror outfits to use Hawala racket via Dubai to send money in India, she said that forces and other agencies are aware of the same
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 "Nirmala Sitharaman")
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