NEW DELHI – Indian Minister of State for External Affairs General VK SinghWednesday exposed the pathetic conditions of the much hyped HindustanAeronautics Limited HAL.
He raised questions over the “capability and condition” of HindustanAeronautics Limited (HAL) amid the Congress’ claim that the Modi governmentdenied the defence PSU an offset contract in the Rafale deal.
Talking to reporters, the minister defended the Rafale deal, saying thepurchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France was necessary to enhance theIndian Air Force’s capabilities.
“Look at the condition of HAL. Our two pilots died. Sorry to say, but theprogrammes at HAL are running late by three-and-a-half years…parts ofaircraft are falling off on the runway.
Is this capability? On the other hand, we say that HAL is not getting the(Rafale) work,” he said.
The minister was referring to the death of two pilots in a crash of Mirage2000 trainer aircraft in Bengaluru on February 1. The aircraft was on an”acceptance sortie” after an upgrade by the HAL.