Rafale in India: "there is still much to do," says Dassault

The mood is very good, but there is no question of any crowing because there is still much to do." It is with caution Eric Trappier, the new CEO of Dassault Aviation has mentioned, Wednesday, February 6, the advance discussions on the sale of Rafale in India.

Selected a year ago against the Eurofighter Typhoon to deliver 126 combat aircraft, Boeing has been negotiating the terms of the agreement which is presented as the "contract of the century", a $ 12 billion .

While some had hoped for a signature at the end of March, at the end of the Indian fiscal year, Mr. Trappier judge this deadline "very optimistic". For him, the ideal would be 2013 before the commencement of the campaign for the parliamentary elections in 2014. These would only delay the process.

"HALF THE WAY FOR INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS"

For the head of Dassault such negotiation takes time nothing shocking. "The delivery and manufacture of 126 aircraft, perhaps, require license agreements on all equipment. This is a contract resulting from 15 to 20 years of working with high stakes for both the French and the Indians ".

The French manufacturer has to find partners in the country, knowing that only the first eighteen copies will be made in France. Dassault joined the public constructor Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and also private conglomerate Reliance - multiple activities but not in aeronautics - "to have a private partner like us."

"The natural leader will HAL", which will take most of the work and the "preferred partner" Reliance will be some who says Trappier. In total thirty Indian companies should be involved in the manufacture and assembly of the Rafale.

To this day if the technical definition of the device was made to 99%. "We did halfway to industrial agreements," the boss Dassault.

POLITICAL DIMENSION

The planned visit of François Hollande in India should not have any impact on the ongoing technical discussions. "This is the political dimension is important, countries not committed to buy as many devices to another country if there is not a strong relationship between the two countries over the long term," said Mr. Trappier.

Even though this is the first case he treats as CEO of Dassault Aviation, a position he has taken a month ago, Mr. Trappier is not unknown land. As Director General International, he has been involved since the beginning in the competition launched in 2007. India is a "country of his favorite" he knows well, having sold in 1993 Mirage 2000 maintenance. "Since the officials with whom I was negotiating occupy high office. This helps in the discussions today," he said.

10000 IN BRIGHT ORANGE HAT SYMBOL OF BURST

Although the statements of the Indian authorities are positive, no question of declaring victory until everything is concluded. The Indian defense minister AK Antony said Wednesday that the Rafale will not be affected by budget cuts in sight, even if his department should, like the rest of the government, limiting to reduce the public debt. Priority programs for the readiness forces will not be affected, he said. No question of postponement.

So the negotiations continue. Serge Dassault and his right arm, Edelstenne, former head of the manufacturer also made the trip to Bangalore (Karnataka) for the ninth Aero India. This show is also an opportunity to present to the public the Rafale: the French Air Force brought three cameras, one for flight demonstrations. Dassault stand on no less than 10 thousand caps in bright orange logo Rafale will be distributed to visitors all week.