Air Force Deputy Chief Raghunath Nambiar has said that the people were being "misinformed" on the offset issue of the Rafale deal and that the current pact was "much better" than what was negotiated earlier.
Nambiar, who test flew the Rafale jet in France last week, said the commercial negotiations were headed by the then Deputy Chief of Air staff and he was responsible for completing the negotiations that continued for 14 months.
Asked about reports that there was a push by the Indian government to include Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence in the deal, Nambiar said: "The commercial negotiations were headed by the Deputy Chief of Air Staff and he was responsible for completing the negotiations."
The official said the negotiations continued for "almost 14 months". "We believe we met all the directions of our leadership -- that was to get a better price, better maintenance terms, better delivery schedule and better performance logistic package."
Nambiar said it was "all in all a much better than what was obtained" earlier.
When asked about the charges by the opposition over offset contract under the deal to buy 36 fighter jets, he said, "I believe people are misinformed. It is nothing like Rs 30,000 crore to one party. Dassault alone has to only do offset to the tune of Rs 6,500 crore. Nothing more than that."
Nambiar said he had an opportunity to fly the Rafale and look at the capabilities that is on offer for the Air Force. He said the aircraft is "shaping up quite well" and the Air Force is satisfied with the performance of all the systems on the aircraft.
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