New Delhi: Defence minister AK Antony on Wednesday refused to set a deadline for conclusion of a multi-billion dollar deal to procure 126 Rafale combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
"This is not the issue. Issue is that contract negotiation committee (CNC) is going on and I or the Government cannot interfere with it ... How can I set a deadline," he told reporters here.
The minister was asked to comment on whether issues between HAL and Dassault Aviation were delaying the contract signing.
The minister's statement came soon after IAF deputy chief Air Marshal S Sukumar stated that the contract was expected to be signed between the two sides by the end of this fiscal.
30/10/13 PTI/Times of India
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"This is not the issue. Issue is that contract negotiation committee (CNC) is going on and I or the Government cannot interfere with it ... How can I set a deadline," he told reporters here.
The minister was asked to comment on whether issues between HAL and Dassault Aviation were delaying the contract signing.
The minister's statement came soon after IAF deputy chief Air Marshal S Sukumar stated that the contract was expected to be signed between the two sides by the end of this fiscal.
30/10/13 PTI/Times of India
