The country will get its first Rafale fighter aircraft in September, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said in the Parliament. "Timely purchase of ammunition is a priority. National security is paramount, regardless of who is in power," she commented.

The assertive Minister added that the Inter-Government agreement between India and France (struck in 2016) laid down that the first delivery will be made in September 2019 and the last in 2022.

The Defence Minister questioned the Congress chief Rahul Gandhi over his allegations against the Prime Minister. "I don't have a 'khandan' to boast about. The PM also comes from a poor background. He has come here from hard work. I have my honour intact. The PM has his honour intact. We have all come from normal backgrounds," she said.

As for CAG audit of the Rafale deal, Sitharaman said, "CAG is conducting a performance audit of capital acquisition of air systems including the 36 Rafale. The complete draft audit report has been received in the Ministry of Defence in December 2018. A response is under preparation."

When it was his turn, RaGa had earlier commented, "Price is not part of the secrecy pact. My question is Anil Ambani was brought in for the contract. Who was the one to decide on Anil Ambani?"