Dassault Rafale, tender | News & Discussions

[sancho]

Crossposting from MP Forum:

France Still Mulling Dual-Mode Brimstone

The French military is still exploring whether to acquire the MBDA Dual-Mode Brimstone (DMB) used heavily by the Royal Air Force during last year's Libya air war.

DMB is only one of several options being considered, though. The interest is driven mainly by the low-collateral-damage nature of the weapon, says MBDA CEO Antoine Bouvier.

A French program would be developed for the air force, with the service undertaking a study examining other options. The French navy so far has not shown interest.

If France goes ahead with the program, the U.K. weapon could be integrated on Rafale before the Eurofighter Typhoon. The U.K. has yet to fund integration of DMB on Typhoon; the weapon is currently used on Tornado GR4s.

France Still Mulling Dual-Mode Brimstone


Credits to Olybrius

 

[palash_kol]

Please buy the Russian Su-35 and not the Rafale.

Everywhere you are shouting for Mig-35 and Su-35!!!!!!

Though Su-35 was a considerable option......Mig-35 is a crap.

 

[the rafter]

IAF's Rafale deal faces delay

Allegations of irregularities in the Indian Air Force's (IAF) deal for 126 fighter aircraft are likely to delay, not derail the $18 billion (Rs.90,000 crore) deal. Defence Minister A.K. Antony ordered a departmental probe into his ministry's January 31 decision to shortlist French firm Dassault to supply the aircraft.

Antony's move came soon after doubts were raised about the evaluation process by an MP.

In January, India announced that Dassault had emerged as the lowest bidder for the contract to supply 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). The Dassault Rafale multi-role combat jet edged out its closest competitor, the Eurofighter Typhoon, to emerge the cheapest bidder in the world's largest open tender defence contract. On February 27, Telugu Desam Party's Rajya Sabha MP M.V. Mysura Reddy wrote to Antony alleging deviations in procedure. Officials involved in negotiations say the probe will delay the deal by only a "month or two". Ministry of Defence (MoD) expects the deal to be signed before March 31, 2013.

In February, MoD-appointed Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC), comprising the defence ministry's stakeholders, opened negotiations with Dassault. The final proposal will be put before the Cabinet Committee on Security early next year. "The formula for calculating the cheapest aircraft was re-totalled three times, by MoD and IAF," an official told India Today. The controversy arose because mod used 'life cycle costs' to select its finalist. As per this formula, the cheapest aircraft would not be the one with the lowest upfront cost. It would be the aircraft that worked out to be the cheapest over the aircraft's 30-year life cycle. The formula took into account variables like maintenance and engine replacement.

Sources say the Rafale aircraft was $5 million (Rs.250 crore) cheaper than the Typhoon. Losing finalists like the European Consortium found fault with the formula even as European diplomats made fresh proposals to lower the rates of the Typhoon. MoD, however, signalled that the door was shut as it began CNC with Dassault in February. Reddy's letter to Antony has, however, added a twist to the tale.

 

[SinoChallenger]

IAF's Rafale deal faces delay

LOL not surprising. In the time it took india to decide on which 4.5 generation fighter aircraft to buy, China already built and tested our 5th generation J-20.

 

[NirmalKrish]

LOL not surprising. In the time it took india to decide on which 4.5 generation fighter aircraft to buy, China already built and tested our 5th generation J-20.

In which it is a prototype and still in testing phase as with the T-50 and FGFA program. Your point is?

 

[sancho]

Mum on India

Today Charles Edelstenne, the CEO of Dassault Aviation, presenting the company's annual results, threw a glimmer of light on one of the reasons his company is now negotiating a contract to supply India with 126 Rafale fighter aircraft. “India corresponds to the definition we have of our market: that is to say countries that either cannot or do not want to buy American or countries that buy American but want to have a second source.” And he explained that none of the countries, except two, that the Rafale has lost competitions in, met that definition...

...Returning to India, Edelstenne also remarked that the British Audit Office itself had written that the Eurofighter was more expensive than the Typhoon and he added that if France had stayed in the Eurofighter program it would be costing the French taxpayer 60% more than the Rafale did for the same number of aircraft...

Mum on India

 

[angeldemon_007]

LOL not surprising. In the time it took india to decide on which 4.5 generation fighter aircraft to buy, China already built and tested our 5th generation J-20.

Good for you, but i think first you should concentrate on making an engine and a radar for you 5th gen aircraft. I am saying this because if won't then our Rafale will also appear to be a 5th gen for you J20. You see, a 5th gen aircraft will be the one which won't be detected or locked on by the enemy radar. With the thales latest gen aesa radar, which changes frequency ever second your mediocre radar won't be be able to lock on its position and hence J20 won't be able to shoot down Rafale, while the old Soviet engine won't hide J20's position and Rafale will able to shoot down J20.

Now don't get emotional, these are scientific facts not fanboy stuff. J20 is nothing unless it gets a good engine and a good aesa radar.

 

[tvsram1992]

Everywhere you are shouting for Mig-35 and Su-35!!!!!!

Though Su-35 was a considerable option......Mig-35 is a crap.

Then what do you think our Mig29SMT/K are?

 

[angeldemon_007]

he added that if France had stayed in the Eurofighter program it would be costing the French taxpayer 60% more than the Rafale did for the same number of aircraft

That is load of crap...just imagine what kind of aircraft EF would be then. I mean the best....as far as as cost is concerned, French would have shared a major part of development cost and not to mention the French order 180 Rafale and this number could have have been EF if they would have stayed in the program. I would say the EF cost would have reduced 10-20 million$ per unit and may be more.

 

[palash_kol]

Then what do you think our Mig29SMT/K are?

For IN its ok...but not a very good option..

 

[the rafter]

LOL not surprising. In the time it took india to decide on which 4.5 generation fighter aircraft to buy, China already built and tested our 5th generation J-20.

LOL its equally surprising that China being most populated country in the world, 2nd largest in terms of land, 2nd largest economy and also in growth (GDP), but still stuck with a 5th gen jet prototype? No engine (have to use Russian engine)? reverse engineering Russian jets?
And you want to take pride by criticizing India's progress? how immature!

 

[tvsram1992]

For IN its ok...but not a very good option..

what about our upgraded SMT's ? Arent they crap ?

 

[janon]

what about our upgraded SMT's ? Arent they crap ?

They are capable of taking on any aircraft that flies in our neighbourhood. To the west or east.

But nowhere as futuristic as the MRCA, which will retain that ability for the next 20+years.

 

[sudhir007]

 

[Beast]

I will say IAF chooses rafale as the winner is a smart choice. I bet it will serve as carrier fighter of future IN CV. Probably IN will follow up another order of the naval version.

Even RN might be forced to buy rafale if F-35 project fails.