Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy has alleged that the BJP Government at the Centre has indulged in a huge scam of over Rs. 41,000 crore in the purchase of Rafale fighter aircrafts.
"I was a highly qualified fighter pilot of Indian Air Force for several years with an experience of flying MIG 21 and MIG 23. I've served on China and Pakistan borders in Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Assam and also in Siachin Glacier. I was also a trainer captain.
Based on my experience in handling fighter aircrafts and long service in Indian Air Force and prevailing circumstances, I can say that the behaviour of BJP Government with regard to Rafale fighter aircrafts is leading to suspicion that country's defence purchases do not seem to be above board," Uttam said.
He expressed surprise as to why Prime Minister of India (Narender Modi) and Defence Minister Nirmala Seetharaman were saying that the price was secret.
“This is not true. This is not a historically backed fact. The operational details like weapons carried on aircraft, radar range, and weapons' range could be secret. But never the price of the aircraft," he said.
He said when he was with the IAF, aircrafts including MIG-21, MIG-23, Jaguar from Britain and Mirage from France were purchased by the Government of India.
He said the purchase price was a common knowledge. But the operational details like weaponry, range, performance of radar, missiles or rockets were secret in some cases. But never after independence, has the purchase price been the secret, he said.
All work of Indian Air Force is given to HAL, it is a public sector giant and highly capable. HAL is indigenously manufacturing Rafale category (Light Combat Aircraft) on its own.
However, it was not assigned the contract for assembling or manufacturing (in future) of Rafale aircraft and without allowing technology transfer, the contract has been given to Anil Ambani's company which has no previous experience of defence manufacturing in any aerospace or any aircraft, he alleged.
