The government’s $8.7 billion purchase of French warplanes was cheaper than a bid negotiated under the previous government, the country’s auditor said, potentially weakening an opposition campaign alleging corruption ahead of federal polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi bought 36 Rafale fighters in 2015 from Dassault Aviation SA at a price 2.86 percent lower than a bid by the former coalition government headed by the Congress Party, India’s Comptroller and Auditor General said in the report tabled in parliament today. The delivery of all 36 jets will be faster by one month, it found.
