Representational photo.

NEW DELHI: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has completed its audit of the offset deal in the Rafale fighter contract with France and is likely to table its report in the winter session of Parliament. The report contains audit of at least 32 offset contracts of the three defence services between 2012-13 and 2017-18.

The first Rafale fighter, part of the Rs 59,000 crore-36 aircraft deal with French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, will be delivered next month. Dassault Aviation had agreed to provide all 36 fighters in a flyaway condition between 36 to 67 months from the date of signing of the IGA (inter-governmental agreement) in 2016.

The offset deal had caused controversy when it was signed between the two governments, with the opposition Congress demanding a CBI inquiry on the terms of Dassault Aviation appointing Reliance Defence of Anil Ambani group as its partner for the offset contract.

This audit is not a standalone review of the Rafale offset deal but the auditor has reviewed 31 other offset deals between 2012-13 and 2017-18. The audit has looked into pricing and other terms of offset contracts with a comparative study of impact it will have on the overall cost of the jets. The auditor initially took up 42 such offset contracts for review but finally selected 32 for audit, including the Rafale deal.

The CAG report on the Rafale deal was tabled in Parliament in February. The auditor had then avoided mixing it with the offset audit. The offset deals reviewed include purchases of the Army, IAF and Navy. The auditor has also received detailed responses from the defence ministry on some of its observations.

The CAG separated its review of the offset deals from the Rafale report on IAF acquisitions as these offsets included Army and Navy, a source said.

