Kickstarting the eighth edition of Aero India at Yelahanka airbase in Bangalore, defence minister AK Antony said the $10-billion deal for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) will be awarded solely on merit. ?I assure you that as far as India is concerned there will be no political interference and decision will be taken after trial evaluation and commercial negotiation,? the defence minister said.

The minister?s statement has come close on the heels of the assertion made by US think-tank Carnegie Endowment that India should accommodate political considerations while acquiring the combat aircraft.

A report released by the think-tank earlier this year said: ?In choosing an aircraft, the government of India must employ a speedy decision process that is focused on the right metrics, taking both technical and political considerations into account.?

US officials have also been stating that it is a ?payback time? for India vis-?-vis the favours granted by the country in terms of nuclear deal. On the comments, Antony said: ?I do not know. I am not an astrologer who can tell who will get the MMRCA but final decisions would only be on merits. No other consideration will be there.?

There are six contenders for the Indian Air Force deal ? the US F-16 Super Viper and F/A-18 Super Hornet, Swedish Gripen, French Rafale, Russian MiG-35 and EADS consortium?s Eurofighter Typhoon.

?The field trials for the acquisition are over and the deal is expected to be finalised by next financial year,? said senior defence ministry officials.

To a question about US offering co-development of fifth generation combat aircraft F-35 Lightening, the minister said, ?it is only now when India has achieved giant strides in the field of aerospace technologies that foreign countries have started offering new technologies.?

?We have already entered into a contract with Russia. Let me tell you no country has offered these technologies in the past. There is no matter of going back on it,? he added.

Expressing concern on the US policy of arming Pakistan to the teeth and then offering the same weapon systems to India, the minister stressed that the weapons are used against India.

?Whenever we get opportunity we try to impress upon the US people that you are giving equipment to Pakistan to fight against Taliban or terrorists. But our experience is that it is used against India. It is not a happy situation. We are concerned about it.?