Under the proposed deal, India will purchase 18 off-the-shelf Rafale fighter jets from French defence giant Dassault Aviation, while the remaining 96 fighter jets will be made in India.
In a major development, French major Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited on Thursday signed four production transfer agreements to manufacture the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in India, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that the initiative would provide specialised training to 300 engineering graduates in fields like Robotics, Aerospace, Defence, and Artificial Intelligence.
'Will the government say if that obligation was fulfilled?' he asked
As per the offset policy, a certain percentage of the deal value with foreign firms should flow into India as foreign direct investment.
From the price agreed on to selection of the offset partner, the Rafale deal has however been mired in row on several fronts.
Dassault operates in a ‘buyer's market‘. The option of the seller is comparatively limited and restricted, as it has to constantly feed and pay heed to the need of its foreign buyers. Customer satisfaction reigns supreme. The seller has to keep foreign clients in good humour, listening and attending to their smallest fads. The most spectacular of all deals is Rafale CEO's ability and steadfastness to stick to the claim ~ ‘I do not tell lies‘ ~ in a turbulent market like that of combat aviation. This is indeed commendable.
Terming the Rs 59,000-crore deal a "mega scam," the CPI-M said the Narendra Modi government was trying to "hide behind half-truths and lies."
The Opposition has been claiming that the original Rafale contract was changed with a new one to benefit Anil Ambani to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore.
The verdict comes as a major boost for the Narendra Modi government that had been cornered over the Rafale deal ahead of the five-state Assembly elections.
