Attempted Break-in At Indian Rafale Team’s Office in Paris; Defence Ministry Briefed

Paris: There has been an attempt to break in at the office of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale Project Management Team in a suburb of Paris in France. News agency ANI reported quoting sources that the incident happened on Sunday night, possibly with an aim to steal data critical to India’s national security plans.

Notably, an Indian team headed by a Group Captain rank officer is in France to oversee the production of 36 Rafale fighter jets which India is purchasing from Dassault Aviation and also for the training of Indian personnel there.

Sources said the Ministry of Defence in Delhi has already been briefed about the incident by Indian Air Force personnel. “There was a break in into the Indian Air Force Rafale project management team office which is located in a suburb of Paris in France. No hard disk or document has been stolen. More details are being ascertained about the motive,” ANI quoted IAF sources as saying.

The Rafale team reportedly sits in Saint Cloud suburb of Paris and police officers are reportedly investigating the matter further. According to reports, the aim of the break-ins could have been to steal data as money or valuables are not kept in the administrative offices.

The break-in comes at a time when a massive political row has been going on in India over the purchase of the fighter jets from Dassault. The Congress party has targetted the ruling government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over offset contracts awarded to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence.

Source: TNN

Image Courtesy: TH