Beyond the Rafale deal

Source : The  Hindu

India’s decision to select Dassault Aviation of France to supply 126 Rafale multi-role fighters caps a process that began in 2007 to replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing MiG-21s and augment its fleet of Sukhoi 30MKIs. Given the size of the contract — which, at upwards of $10 billion, is the largest defence deal struck by India — the acquisition of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) was viewed in many quarters as a purchase in which political and strategic considerations would, or even should, play a role. Such a view was bolstered by the fact that each of the six competing aircraft originally short-listed had a lot to offer, the differences between them lying more along the perimeter than in the core. 

That technical and commercial factors prevailed over extra-contractual considerations became evident when the competition, following a slew of technical tests, was narrowed to two — the Rafale and the Typhoon, produced by a consortium of four European countries. Clearly, the selection process was uninfluenced by the United States administration, which had lobbied hard in favour of Boeing’s F/A-18 and Lockheed Martin’s F-16, suggesting that the acquisition of either was an important element in forging a closer strategic relationship. The rejection of the U.S.-manufactured aircraft underlined that we had, as one commentator wryly but wrongly noted, “settled for a plane, not a relationship.”

Read More...

MMRCA : Sarkozy promises technology transfer in fighter jet deal

Source : IANS

French President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday said the multi-billion dollar deal for Dassault Aviation to supplyIndian Air Force (IAF) will come with “important technology transfers”. advanced combat jets to

In a statement from his office, Sarkozy hailed the Indian government’s decision to select the French firm in an estimated $10.4 billion jet fighter deal. He said his government will back Dassault in its talks to finalise the order.

“The negotiation of the contract will begin very soon and has the full support of the French authorities. It will include important technology transfers guaranteed by the French government,” the president said.

“This announcement comes following competition that was at a very high level, was fair and transparent and which opposed two European finalists.”

He said the Rafale was chosen “thanks to the competitiveness of the global cost of the aircraft over its lifetime”.

“The realisation of the Rafale project will illustrate the depth and scale of the strategic partnership between France and India.”

French Rafale wins MMRCA deal

Indian Ministry of Defense announced Rafale as a  winner of Indias biggest ever contract for providing 126 multirole conbat aircraft. 

The French firm was declared as the lowest bidder, according to which it will get the contract under India's defence procurement procedure, sources said. 

"The French firm Dassault Rafale has emerged as the L-1 (lowest bidder) and cheaper than its european rival EADS (maker of Eurofighter) in the tender and will be offered to supply the aircraft to the IAF," the source said.

They said the representatives of Dassault here were informed about the development in the morning and further negotiations on price will be held with them in the next 10-15 days.

The contract will be signed only in the next fiscal. According to the Request for Proposal (RFP), the winner of the contract will have to supply 18 of the 126 aircraft to the IAF in 36 months from its facilities and the remaining would be produced at HAL facilities in Bangalore.

Six companies including American F-16 and F-18, Russian MiG 35, Swedish Saab Gripen alongwith Eurofighter and Dassault Rafale were in the race in the beginning. 

Will keep you all updated on the same.