Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Rafale jet deal in the Lok Sabha. As she begins talking, Opposition members create a ruckus.


Sitharaman: Senior members of the Opposition don't want to hear my answers. It is very disheartening. This country needs to know that defence purchases are national security related and very important, whether they are in power or we are. We have had wars in northern and western frontiers. Timely purchase equipment should be the priority. We have to recognise the sense of urgency. China and Pakistan are building a bigger fleet.


The UPA government wanted only 18 flyaway fighter jets. UPA created a deadlock.  We have facts to expose the Congress. The first aircraft will be delivered in September 2019 and 36 aircraft will be delivered in the year 2022. The process of negotiation was finished in 14 months.


UPA government created defence deadlock. There is a difference between defence dealings and dealing in defence. We don't do defence dealings. We deal in defence with national security as a priority. Congress was sleeping for eight years.