Dassault Rafale, tender | News & Discussions

[sancho]

Brazil's Rousseff to weigh French jet buy in India

President Dilma Rousseff plans to use her New Delhi visit later this week to sound out Indian leaders on the French Rafale fighter jet, which she is considering buying to beef up Brazil's air force...

...The next day Rousseff will begin a state visit in India, and officials say the Rafale, which India has selected for its air force, will be a top agenda item.

The Rafale, made by French firm Dassault, is in competition with the F/A-18 Super Hornet, manufactured by US aviation giant Boeing, and Swedish manufacturer Saab's Gripen jet, for a Brazilian contract for 36 aircraft valued at $4 billion and $7 billion.

"The exchange of ideas, impressions" on the Rafale "is certainly beneficial for us," Maria Edileuza Fonteneles Reis, a senior foreign ministry official, said last week...

...Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim traveled to India in February to discuss prospects for a "technical military accord."

"It's extremely interesting that the two countries are discussing a military accord" since each country could complement each other in the industrial sector, said During, recalling that India and Brazil plan to modernize their fighter jet fleet and develop a nuclear submarine...

AFP: Brazil's Rousseff to weigh French jet buy in India

 

[sancho]

Europe Poised For Gradual Updates To Fighters

The severe budget austerity gripping much of Europe does not augur well for air forces looking to achieve leaps in capability for the next decade. It is somewhat a matter of luck, then, that foreign demand is effectively pushing stingy treasuries to provide funding to field upgrades...

...One country trying to lock in its combat aircraft plans over the coming months is Sweden, where the government is working to allocate funds to help field the Saab Gripen NG, the next major update of the single-engine fighter. Although Sweden itself does not need the new model for several years, the government had committed to accelerate its own fielding plans to support the schedule set by any foreign buyer. Switzerland’s decision in December to take the aircraft—a contract still has to be finalized this year—means Sweden’s own plans will be advanced. Bern wants its first fighter in 2015 to replace F-5s...

...For the core air forces operating the Eurofighter Typhoon, the issue of both near- and long-term upgrades must still be sorted. For example, the British and German air forces, as well as Italian and Spanish users, have all expressed interest in upgrading the fighter’s radar with an AESA, although they have not allocated funding for this endeavor. Instead, they have relied on industry self-funding much of the early development because of the need to keep the combat aircraft internationally competitive.
While hoping to have a raft of Typhoon upgrades available by March 2018, the U.K. so far has failed to address when key elements of those enhancements—such as the Storm Shadow cruise missile and Meteor air-to-air missile—will emerge on the fighter.

The situation is more settled in France, at least for now. Partly because of France’s determination to secure an export order for Rafale, the government moved to finance upgrades to the twin-engine fighter in order to make the system attractive in international competitions. That push, more than the needs of the French air force and navy, drove Paris to allocate funding several years ago to ensure upgrades to the REB2 radar, optronics (electro-optical) system and electronic warfare equipment (the DDM-NG). The F3-04T standard is due for qualification this year, ahead of delivery in 2013.

Shows how different the future potential of the Eurocanards is, while Rafale is in good shape, Sweden at least tries to further develop the Gripen and a deal with Switzerland will be a big help of course. EF on the other side is totally dependent on exports or fundings by Saudi Arabia now, otherwise not only the production will be closed soon, but the further developments will be much limited to certain upgrades only, especially when the partners keeps upgrading older fighters instead of EF:

...Germany, for example, which is unwilling to buy more Eurofighters or to fund enhancements that would enable them take on additional roles, also is financing an upgrade drive for its Tornado fleet. The plan is to keep the aircraft operational until 2025—not just in its strike role, but also as a tactical reconnaissance asset and suppression of enemy air defense system...

Also interesting wrt Rafale F5:

...In addition, France will face another series of Rafale upgrades in the next decade as military leaders seek to prepare the backbone of their combat aircraft fleet for a major mid-life modification. Thus, the shopping list is long and still includes radical ideas such as adding conformal radar arrays to provide enhanced sensor coverage and radar-cross-section reductions...

Europe Poised For Gradual Updates To Fighters | AVIATION WEEK

 

[RPK]

Howarth in India to discuss Typhoon deal - Defence Management

Howarth in India to discuss Typhoon deal
27 March 2012

Defence Minister Gerald Howarth is flying to India today in a bid to rescue a $10bn contract to sell Typhoon fast jets to the Indian Air Force.

French firm Dassault's Rafale was chosen as lowest-priced offer in the 126-jet Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) contract in late January, but suggestions of "manipulation" in the bidding process are currently being investigated after complaints from an Indian MP.

The suggestions were made by Mysura Reddy, who wrote to India's Defence Minister AK Antony to say he was surprised to learn of the Rafale's win as it had "failed in precision bombing" over Libya and had secured no other export orders.

Referring to unspecified reports of irregularities in the bid, Reddy wrote that the Indian defence ministry "must ensure there has been no manipulation in the evaluation process".

In response, Antony agreed to investigate "all points" raised by Reddy, and said he would be prepared to cancel the contract if evidence of manipulation was found.

Howarth, UK Minister for International Security Strategy, last visited India in early February to discuss offering a reduction in the price offered for the Typhoon jets.

Speaking in the House of commons on 26 March, Howarth said he took reports of bid irregularities "very seriously".

"I have read the reports about the internal investigation that Minister Antony, the Defence Minister in India, has instigated. I shall be flying to India tomorrow, where I hope to have discussions with Indian Ministers and other officials."

Howarth also responded to criticism that German officials had led the Typhoon bidding process in India, despite the UK benefiting from better relations with the Indian government.

"The previous government decided that the project would be led by the Germans, despite all the connections the UK has with India," said Howarth.

"We and BAE Systems are taking a very active part not only in preparing ourselves in case the Indians would like us to resubmit and talk to us again, but in discussions with EADS, Cassidian, the German government and our other two partners.

"We are also working very hard on the export drive to make up for the loss and damage done by Labour when it was in government."

 

[Abingdonboy]

^^^ Oh just STFU Britain/EADs you lost, get over it!

 

[Yeti]

Thats the British spirit never give up

 

[tvsram1992]

^^^
65 years ago Brits were ruling us and now they were begging(no offense) us . Power of time .

 

[janon]

^^^ Oh just STFU Britain/EADs you lost, get over it!

Thats the British spirit never give up

Reminds me of the black knight from monty python. "tis but a flesh wound!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4

 

[sancho]

Thats the British spirit never give up

When you are desperate to reduce costs and get a funder for new developments of the fighter, you can't give up.

 

[RPK]

 

[gslv]

rafale deal again in jeopardy?

Exclusive: India's biggest defence deal in jeopardy? - Video | The Times of India

what the hell is this. i am worried again about MMRCA!!!

 

[angeldemon_007]

^^^
Don't worry...Rafale is better than Typhoon. The politician who is making such claims could have just asked IAF or the field evaluation report before making such claims.

 

[Yeti]

When you are desperate to reduce costs and get a funder for new developments of the fighter, you can't give up.

Big deal MRCA is even if there is slim chance i can understand the British view they have nothing to lose

 

[SpArK]

^^^
65 years ago Brits were ruling us and now they were begging(no offense) us . Power of time .

Its aggressive marketing. We have collaboration with Brits and lots of BAE projects are expected.

The fighter deal is more of a pride thing for them with regard to French.

I am surprised at an MP Reddy talking about fighters though..

Any full member of this defence forum can make him sweat with facts on fighter air-crafts.

I wonder whether he can differentiate between G-force and a G-string.

 

[kingdurgaking]

I have full confident that Rafale will become part of the IAF

 

[Agent_47]

rafale deal again in jeopardy?

Exclusive: India's biggest defence deal in jeopardy? - Video | The Times of India

what the hell is this. i am worried again about MMRCA!!!

Brits are trying Hard!