India had settled on the Rafale as its choice for the Indian Air Force in 2012 after floating a global tender. Photo: ReutersNew Delhi: The decision by the government to purchase 36 Rafale fighter aircraft was made after following all the required procedures, a person familiar with the development said on Thursday, following a media report that suggested irregularities in the process. “The government has categorically stated earlier as well that all provisions laid down in the Defence Procurement Procedure and other relevant guidelines were fully followed in the acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft. The apex decision making body for defence acquisitions, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Raksha Mantri, accepted the necessity for the acquisition of Rafale aircraft and mandated the Contract Negotiating Committee,” the person cited above said. “It is most unfortunate that the media report maliciously imputes motives to the absence of the officer in question from the Ministry of Defence headquarters.

Source: Mint September 27, 2018 14:48 UTC