Bengaluru: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was in an 'offensive mood' when she addressed the media at the Air Force Station Yelahanka, the very base that will host the Aero India in February 2019.
When the media hurled 'grenades' in the form of pointed questions at the minister on Rafale, surgical strikes, Make in India, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bengaluru air show and many more, the minister 'struck back' in her inimitable style, sans any warning.
However, when the 'surgical strike' between the media and the minister ended, there was peace in abundance. In fact, a much more toned-down Nirmala Sitharaman was happily mingling with pen-and-mike warriors!
While most of the questions and answers were the repeat of what has been reported from Delhi and Chennai in the past one week, here’s what that caught our attention and we are presenting to you as quick bytes.
Surgical strikes
She said there was no question of India taking attack on the troops lying down. “The celebrations (Parakram Parv), observed across 53 places across India, completing two years of surgical strikes, are just reminders of our might,” she said.
Aero India 2019
To a query posed by Onmanorama, on whether the Ministry of Defence has finally convinced that AFS Yelahanka is the right plug-and-play option for the show, the minister fired back from short range.
“Are you suggesting that other cities keen to host the show have no business to ask,” she asked. It was then confirmed that HAL will be playing a major role in organising the show.
Championing the cause of Tejas
She said the NDA government gave lots of impetus to the Tejas programme by doubling the production capabilities at HAL from eight aircraft per year to 18.
“We are proud of Tejas and we are now working with HAL to steady the production line. HAL has been also given additional funds for the project,” she said.
On the proposed plan by the IAF to take over the controls of Tejas, the defence minister said discussions are on between IAF-HAL to speed-up the deliveries.
The Rafale mess
Firing ‘canon shots’ at opposition Congress party for accusing the NDA government of corruption in the 36 Rafale deal, Nirmala Sitharaman said: “Let me tell you there was no deal during UPA-2. Like a japa (repetition of a mantra), it must be said, no deal, no deal, no deal, no deal, no deal...”
She said the opposition is shedding crocodile tears for HAL after having delayed the fighter purchase for IAF, which was in dire straits with falling squadron strength (from 42 to 33).
Ceasefire violations by Pak
Nirmala Sitharaman said every ceasefire violation by Pakistan was being responded in appropriate measure.
“Nothing is going unnoticed. Every violation from Pakistan, we are responding. We are eliminating them and also pushing them back,” she said.
Helping HAL
To another query from Onmanorama on the efforts being put by MoD to bail out HAL from oft-repeated quality, cost and time overrun concerns by users and watchdog agencies, the minister said efforts were on.
“It is felt that Sukhois built by HAL in Nasik are expensive than the ones produced in Russia. We are helping HAL on various aspects, be it skills, quality, capacity augmentation and cutting down overheads,” the minister added.
