Not A Deal Breaker: No Sovereign Guarantee For Russian S-400 Missile Defence System Deal, IAF Officials Explain Why

Top Indian Air Force (IAF) officials have categorically stated that India’s agreement with Russia to buy the S-400 missile defence system did not have a ‘sovereign guarantee’ since the intergovernmental agreements with Russia and the US are ‘streamlined.’ reports Press Trust of India (PTI).

"There is no sovereign guarantee in the S-400 deal with Russia." said Air Marshal V R Chaudhari, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff while interacting with members of the press. "We have had a lot of acquisitions from Russians and Americans earlier."

"The process of the government-to-government agreement with Russia and America are generally already streamlined, or should I say evolved. With other countries, it may not have evolved, as the government-to-government (agreement)... may have been the first or just initiated," he added.

This clarification from the IAF officials comes after multiple reports stated that the Rafale deal between the Indian government and French aviation major Dassault Aviation, was unusual as it did not include anti-corruption penalties, sovereign guarantees and making payments through an escrow account.

India signed a deal with Russia to buy a batch of S-400 missile systems at the cost of Rs 40,000 crore in October 2018.

Allegations Against Rahul Gandhi

Earlier today (12 January) Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that Congress President Rahul Gandhi was working as a lobbyist for aircraft supplier companies.

“His statements are completely irresponsible. Someone who is already on bail along with his mother must not teach us. We just want to ask him as to how he got access to Airbus email. Airbus is already being investigated because of Air force supply in previous government,” said the minister referring to Rahul Gandhi.

Also Read: The Anti-Rafale Campaign Would Go Down As One Of The Lowest Points Of Indian Media