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.”

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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.”