I feel the decision (on Rafale) has come late.This should have taken place 4-5 years ago. The situation on Request for Proposal (RFP) was chaotic and price negotiations took very long. It is icebreaking for India,keeping in mind security requirements of the country. I feel the decision (on Rafale) has come late.This should have taken place 4-5 years ago. The situation on Request for Proposal (RFP) was chaotic and price negotiations took very long. It is icebreaking for India,keeping in mind security requirements of the country.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar interacts exclusively with Aaj Tak before leaving for South Korea. While appreciating efforts made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in France, Parrikar targeted former defence minister A.K. Antony for delay in acquisition of Rafale fighter aircraft.

Hinting at corruption, Parrikar also accused previous government of poor paper work, confusion and deliberate delay in the deal. An excerpt:



Is the decision on Rafale aircraft a delayed one?

First of all, the deal hasn't been completed as yet. So far we have only tried to acquire 36 aircraft in workable condition. Future course of action will be decided by both the governments mutually. I feel the decision has come late. This should have taken place 4-5 years ago. The situation on Request for Proposal (RFP) was chaotic and price negotiations took very long. It is ice-breaking for India, keeping in mind security requirements of the country.



Who should be held accountable for the delay? Would you say the previous government?

There were defects in the RFP and the previous defence minister was unsure of it. The former defence minister (A.K. Antony) made a remark on the file, saying the lowest bidder (L-1) has been decided and that lets negotiate the price. Now let it be investigated as to why the aircraft was chosen hastily. There was lack of cohesiveness in the manoeuvres of HAL and the French company.

Was the delay at the level of bureaucrats or the political leadership?

The RFP documents were not well prepared. L-1 was determined in haste. The paperwork was not well documented. If the paperwork hasn't been done neatly, there are chances of confusion. It was not a well-prepared RFP.



Would you say that it's a decisive step by you and the PM?

I was of the firm opinion that the RFP won't bring finality in the deal, and I conveyed this to the prime minister in a detailed report. This was the only solution. Would you begin it from the point of start? If you start the process in 2015, it would materialise in 2020. What if we need the aircraft in between? What will you do? So I was positive about this decision. I congratulate the PM and the decision has been taken in the interest of the country.



By what time will the aircraft be delivered?

The accounting will be done in 2-3 months and I feel the delivery will happen in 18 months. So roughly it will take three years.

Initially the deal was for 126 MMRC and now we are taking only 36. How will we meet the shortage?

A decision will be taken in this regard after discussion. If we need then we will take. The aircraft also costs quite a bit. It's in `1 lakh crore, plus the cost of maintenance. So it needs to be looked into whether we can afford so much for one item.



Where do you find the possibility of make in India into all this?

We will see after these 36 aircraft. The speed of LCA and Tejas needs to be augmented. If we do it, we can replace MiGs then. The companies can set up their units here.



There is a rise in terror attacks ever since the formation of new government in J-K. The issue of removal of AFSPA is being talked about. What's your stand?

Our stand is very clear. Terrorists will be neutralised. The incident in Tral is not new. Whenever they attack, we neutralise them. We will not allow terrorism to grow. We have taken precautions everywhere. We have been very careful that civilians don't suffer. The Army has been very patient and very firm. If civilians are injured, it's only due to firing from the terrorists.



Many questions are being raised on the withdrawal of AFSPA from J-K, Who is raising them?

Whoever wants to raise? let them raise. The Army can work only if the AFSPA remains.