TMC's Saket Gokhale left red-faced after spreading fake news that MQ-9B drone deal is "overpriced", gets fact-checked

NewsBharati    26-Jun-2023 11:41:53 AM
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In yet another embarrassing moment, Trinamool Congress Spokesperson Saket Gokhale got fact-checked by Press Information Bureau (PIB) after he spread fake news claiming that the PM Narendra Modi-led government had over-payed for US drones (MQ-9B drones) in a deal signed between India and the US. The fact check team of PIB said that these claims by Saket Gokhale are "misleading" and were aimed at derailing the due acquisition process.
 
Saket Gokhale MQ-9b drone deal 
 
The claim comes as India inked a pact of purchasing 31 drones made by General Atomics in a government-to-government deal, which includes 16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian drones.
 

What is so-called liberal Saket Gokhale claiming?

 
Saket Gokhale said PM Modi signed an agreement in the US to purchase 31 MQ9B Predator drones for $3.1 billion+. That's ~ $110 million per drone. Now let's compare that with the actual price for the same drone.
 
 
He added, "The MQ9B drone being purchased by Modi Govt is also knows as MQ9B Reaper (or Predator) & is made by General Atomics. Now remember - US purchases drones from pvt companies at market prices. How much does US Air Force pays for these drones? $56.5 million per drone."
 
Further, he said, "Another country which purchased MQ9B drones from General Atomics in 2016 is the UK. UK in 2016 paid £180 million (i.e. $200 million) for a total of 16 drones to be delivered in 2024. How much did the UK pay for ONE MQ9B drone? About $12.5 million per drone."
 
"Australia signed a deal to buy 12 MQ9B drones for $1.65. That's ~ $130 million per drone. BUT wait - this came with MANY EXTRA SYSTEMS that India is NOT GETTING for $ 110 million per drone. AND - Australia canceled this deal later for being TOO EXPENSIVE. Comparison," he added.
 
He concluded, "Just like the Rafale deal, it seems that Modi Govt is AGAIN purchasing US drones at a SUPER OVERPRICED cost." He also asked "Why is Modi Govt purchasing overpriced drones from US when cheaper similar versions are available? Whatever happened to "Atmanirbhar Bharat"?"
 

PIB gives a befitting reply

 
PIB said, "Saket Gokhale has made a claim regarding the acquisition of MQ-9B drones...This claim is misleading." It further clarified that this is the price quoted by the US government. The price and the terms of purchase are yet to be finalised & are subject to negotiations.
 
Notably, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had also stated that India is yet to finalise with the United States the “price and other terms and conditions” of the purchase of 31 MQ-9B high altitude long endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems and it is “subject to negotiations”.
 
It also said, "The AoN noted the estimated cost of 3,072 million US dollars provided by the US Government. However, price will be negotiated once policy approval of the US Government is received. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will compare the acquisition cost with the best price offered by General Atomics (GA) to other countries. The procurement is in progress and would be completed as per the laid down procedure."
 
It said, "some speculative reports emerged in sections of social media referring to the price and other terms of purchase. These are uncalled for, have ulterior motives and aimed at derailing the due acquisition process. Price and other terms & conditions of the purchase are yet to be finalised and subject to negotiations. In this regard, all are requested not to spread fake news/misinformation which can have serious impact on the morale of the Armed Forces and adversely impact the acquisition process."
 
Even after being embarrassed, Saket Gokhale stuck to his claim and ‘challenged‘ PIB to issue a statement saying that the price reported by the news outlets is wrong is misleading. He also said that if it does not do so then the agency should apologise.
 
Saket Gokhale TMC PIB MQ-9B drone deal India US Defence PM Narendra Modi