Wait for fighter jet gets longer; govt to relook at process

[arp2041]

Wait of Indian Air Force for an early decision on finalising the contract to procure the much-awaited Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) just grew longer. The Government has decided to take a re-look at the entire process that declared French Dassault Aviation as the lowest bidder in the multi-billion dollar contract.

Barely weeks after independent monitors submitted a report that the IAF/Government followed the procedure in identifying French ‘Rafale’ as L1 (lowest bidder), the Ministry of Defence decided that the entire process would be looked afresh after the Contract Negotiation Committee (CNC) completes its task.

Sources in the Government told The Tribune that after perusing the report of the three independent monitors appointed by the Central Vigilance Commission, it was decided that once the CNC finalises its recommendation, the Defence Finance will have to go through the process once again with a fine comb before it moves ahead.

The development assumes significance since two officials associated with the CNC had differed with the procedure through which ‘Rafale’ was determined as the lowest bidder as against the offer by ‘Eurofighter’ manufactured by European consortium Cassidian.

Doubts over the process were also flagged by Telugu Desam Party MP MV Mysura Reddy. The MP wrote a letter to the Defence Minister who has also received anonymous letters pointing out to certain “loop-holes” in the various processes followed by the IAF and the Ministry.

Besides insisting that the deal should be fair and transparent, as a matter of extreme caution, Defence Minister Antony outlined an eight-stage mechanism through which the deal will have to go through, including vetting by the CVC, before it finally reaches the Cabinet Committee on Security for assent. This re-look is an additional layer.

The minister has made it known the top military brass and also foreign vendors that he would not hesitate to cancel any defence deal at any stage if the Government detects the process has been vitiated. Sources in the ministry said in case the L1 is found not to be in order, the entire deal would have to be scrapped.

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News

 

[Paan Singh]

they are cleared..so no worry

 

[SLIM]

India’s hunt for acquisition of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) is coming to a close with the defence ministry giving the green signal to the evaluation process that led to selection of the French Rafale fighter. The plane was chosen as it was the lowest bidder on the basis of its lifecycle cost and technology transfer. The total deal is worth $20 billion (Rs 1.12 lakh crore) with options for further purchases.

Replying to a letter written on February 27, 2012 by TDP Rajya Sabha member MV Mysura Reddy alleging manipulation of the MMRCA evaluation process, defence minister AK Antony said: "The issues raised by you were examined by independent monitors who have concluded that the approach and methodology adopted by the Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC) in the evaluation of the commercial proposals thus far, have been reasonable and appropriate and within the terms of the Request for Proposals (RFR) and Defence Procurement Procedure, 2006."

The Indian Air Force on January 31 had declared Rafale as the preferred bidder, overriding the claims of the multi-nation Eurofighter. According to negotiations, 18 Rafale fighters will arrive in India from mid-2015, with another 108 to be built in India under collaboration.

As reported in the Hindustan Times, Reddy had written to Antony stating: "The alleged manipulation of the evaluation process in picking the (Rafale), which resulted in the decision to procure 126 MMRCA has raised serious apprehensions not only across the country but also worldwide. If a proper decision is not taken, the country's credibility will be at stake."

Two days later, Antony ordered an inquiry into all the points raised by Reddy.

Talking to HT after receiving Antony's final response on Monday evening in Hyderabad, Reddy said he was not satisfied with the reply. "I will wait for the report after the defence ministry has examined the finalised CNC recommendations as promised by the defence minister," he said.

Path clear for Rafale fighter deal: Antony - Hindustan Times

 

[arp2041]

they are cleared..so no worry

the article says that though the process is cleared for now but after the contract negotiations committee (CNC) completes it's job, the GOI will look the entire process again before sending this to CCS for approval, this will certainly delay the deal by few months & the worst can be MOD just scrap the deal

 

[Koovie]

so it seems that a MOD officials has been successfully bribed by BAE

 

[IBRIS]

Everyone, be it MOD or politicians are doing there best to milk the biggest defence deal of the decade. they will not leave any stone unturned regardless to any needs of the nation's security. These politicians are to be burned alive in India for there greed for maya and power.

 

[arp2041]

so it seems that a MOD officials has been successfully bribed by BAE

It seems that MOD has forgotten that it is Indian MOD & not British MOD.

+ both IAF & opposition (mainly BJP) will be running after the blood of St. Antony if this deal is jeopardized any which way.

P.S. I WANT RAFALE AT ALL COST

 

[Splurgenxs]

What's wrong in this....?

I think its reassuring that there taking additional measures to plug any loopholes .

Its better to delay a few months or an year ,if there are chances that the deal might have been corrupted.

 

[Qasibr]

It's nice to see the Indian govt take their time and make sure everything is in order. Rushing in situations like these can raise many eyebrows and questions later on.

 

[Sergi]

hahaaha funny news
I think our saint Antony is pitching for " Mr. Clean " title
I think after CNC is done with the job the so called new layer will hit the GREEN flag right away as its the same people who have double checked all the things so just a MR. CLEAN news. Nothing else

 

[Yogi]

i m really fed up with all these delays
i want to see Rafale in indian colours before 2016
screw the MODs....

 

[Sergi]

i m really fed up with all these delays
i want to see Rafale in indian colours before 2016
screw the MODs....

Evenif deal is signed late in 2013. You will definatly see "Of the shelf" Rafales before 2016. But deal is most likely to be signed when French President is going to visit India

 

[arp2041]

Pathetic that MOD is worrying about few crores of irregularities in this deal when people like A raja with alleged 2g scam of Rs. 1.76 lakh crore are walking free, it's time that MOD's first priority should be to look after the country's defences rather than worrying about any black mark on their "clean" image.

+ i was reading the complain made by Mr. Reddy to Antony in which he wrote that "why is India procuring an aircraft that no other country has inducted" ----> is this any reason to stall the process, do we have to wait till any other country induct Rafale, IAF made the decision on it's assessments why should we see what others are doing????

+ how easy it is for our enemy's to get us to back foot, they just have to give a few crore of bribes to stall a major procurement decision.

 

[KRAIT]

All this drama to rethink Eurofighter.......4 govt.s diplomatic pressure may be

 

[tvsram1992]

First they should order 40 Rafales directly from France and negotiate meanwhile . That would save our resources a lot .