Thursday, October 6 2005 18:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With the race for India's proposed marine acquisition of 126 medium-range combat aircraft at a cost of over Rs 15,000 crores hotting up, Air Chief SP Tyagi today (Oct 6, 2005) said there was no 'political pressure' being exerted to swing the deal in anyone's favor.

"There is no political pressure being brought on IAF to swing the deal in favor of any of the competitors," he said, indicating that the acquisition process would get a spur with Request For Proposals (RFP) being issued by the year-end.

His comments assume significance in the context of five aviation majors, French Dassault, US Lockheed Martin and Boeing, Swedish Grippen and Russian Mikoyan Bureau contending for the deal.

"It will be an open and transparent process", said the Air Chief addressing a customary news conference on the eve of the Air Force Day on October 8. He said asserted that IAF will have a 'decisive say in evaluating of any fighter."

The IAF was also bidding to augment its helicopter fleet by purchasing 80 types of choppers as well seeking to enhance its transport fleet, Tyagi said.

Asked if there was a pattern in the recent international civil and military hardware purchases undertaken by India, he said the combat system most suitable to India would be bought. The proposal for setting up a futuristic Aerospace Command had not been dropped, but was under active consideration of the Government, he said to a question.