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India denies political reasons in aircraft deal

Xinhua, November 12, 2011

• India Friday ruled out any " political considerations" while awarding the multi-billion dollar deal to acquire 126 combat aircraft.

  "There will be no political considerations in defense procurement and that is our stand which everybody knows," Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony told the media here.

  "Defense procurement is strictly professional and (based on) price. Technical evaluation is 101 percent professional and then after that comes the price," he added.

  The combat aircraft deal is in its last phase with the opening of commercial bids of two bidders -- European Eurofighter and French Dassault Rafale.

  The Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft bid is backed by four partner nations including Germany, Italy, Britain and Spain while the Rafale bid is backed by France.

  In April, the Indian Defense Ministry had shortlisted the two aircraft companies while four companies including American Lockheed Martin and Boeing, Russian MiG 35 and Swedish Saab were rejected.

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