'Empowered' French team likely to visit India for Rafale deal

[Hindustani78]

'Empowered' French team likely to visit India for Rafale deal - The Economic Times

By PTI | 1 Jan, 2015, 06.42PM IST

NEW DELHI: A French 'empowered' delegation is likely to visit India this month to carry forward the much- delayed talks for the multi-billion dollar contract for 126 Rafale fighter aircraft as India looks at the option of buying more Sukhoi-30 MKI warplanes in case the deal falls through.

Recalling his discussions with his French counterpart last month, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said talks are on over the deal.

He said French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had intended to send an "empowered person" for this.

Sources said a French delegation could visit India this month.

Talking about the delays in sealing the contract, Defence Ministry sources admitted there were problems and said India could consider buying more Russian-made Sukhoi-30 planes if the proposed deal with France collapsed.

France, on the other hand, is confident of signing the contract and says differences can be sorted out. India and France had agreed to fast-track the negotiations in December.

The issue came up for discussion during the delegation- level talks on December 3 between Parrikar and his French counterpart.

India had in 2012 selected Rafale combat planes but the final negotiations are still continuing between the Defence Ministry and Dassault Aviation, maker of the aircraft.

The deal with India is a big one for the Rafale company as it will be the first mega export order for the aircraft.

As per the Request for Proposal (RFP), the first 18 jets planes are to be imported and the rest manufactured under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)

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Modi Government should even try to raise this issue with President Obama.

 

[$@rJen]

How many f0cking teams and delegations are visiting India to negotiate this deal!!!!?!?!?? Someone please sign the bloody contract

 

[Sri]

I think France is more inclined to sell these planes but Dassault is not as it has thriving civilian aircraft business.

 

[truthseeker2010]

MMRCA is becoming a joke.... its been i guess 7 years since the process started and by now IAF should have the jets... but there is no sign of it and in the foreseeable future as well.....

what has this to do with obama?

 

[cerberus]

MMRCA is becoming a joke.... its been i guess 7 years since the process started and by now IAF should have the jets... but there is no sign of it and in the foreseeable future as well.....

what has this to do with obama?

Really its hard to get technology from West Deals has is concerns and just blocked on production issue with Hal.the deal is worth for waiting.France send delegations after delations since last year to sort out the deal hopefully it's just in it last phase.New mod will not take time it will be signed this year or it will be dropped.

 

[cerberus]

I think France is more inclined to sell these planes but Dassault is not as it has thriving civilian aircraft business.

There loss we have options.but I don't thing they will do that
In defense industry perception of the your product matters if Mmrca dropped the reputation of Dassault Rafale will be down.

 

[Sri]

I am not Sure why India is not talking for Euro fighter. I understand Dassault won the competition for exclusive talks but there needs to be a timeline for closure.
Does anyone have any input on this?

 

[Max Pain]

Just Go for Sukhoi, or Invest on newer blocks of LCA, I think it'll be much more feasible.

 

[cerberus]

I am not Sure why India is not talking for Euro fighter. I understand Dassault won the competition for exclusive talks but there needs to be a timeline for closure.
Does anyone have any input on this?

because deal is its final phase only blocked on production commitments.Any thing new will add 4-5 years minimum for negotiations and delivery will be stretched beyond time line.

 

[cerberus]

Just Go for Sukhoi, or Invest on newer blocks of LCA, I think it'll be much more feasible.

Why not wait.why is so hurry
LCA Mk1is below requirements MK2 is beyond 2020 timeline realistically.even if the deal will be finalised 2016 we will get 18 rafale by 2018-19 so Mmrca is best options we have.

 

[shree835]

Parrikar to take final call on MMRCA ?

With Indian Air Force (IAF) not giving Plan B to MOD over Rafale Deal . Defence minister Parrikar may take final call in coming months If IAF continuous not to offer any Plan B and the deal collapses with France says a media reports .

Split between Dassault and HAL is wide enough for Parrikar to take hints that deal will not be smooth even if next round of talks with Dassault lead to some sort of agreement . Parrikar already doesn’t see MMRCA deal critical to national security over which country can go bankrupt.

MOD is likely to engage with HAL and Russia , for possible order of extra Su-30s in coming months which can be delivered before 2020 taking total fleet in IAF over 300 said another media report . Parrikar likely will make talks with Dassault time bound for MMRCA deal which has already stretched to third year before deal is called off said another report .

Make in India pitch by PM Modi will not make it easy for Dassault to take concessions from MOD this time . MOD is already engaging with Private players to start second production line for Tejas MK-2 with Fixed orders coming their way , Initial order of 86 MK-2 placed by IAF likely will double to maintain two production line which will remain active for next decade which will see final order crossing 300 over next decade .

 

[Max Pain]

Why not wait.why is so hurry
LCA Mk1is below requirements MK2 is beyond 2020 timeline realistically.even if the deal will be finalised 2016 we will get 18 rafale by 2018-19 so Mmrca is best options we have.

see this is the problem, youre not just waiting, youre draining your cash, I read this news somewhere, that the cost of the Rafale deal has decreased a lot than the initially agreed upon figure,
im quite sure if you invest that much cash on LCA, eventually you'll have a great homegrown platform.

 

[shree835]

see this is the problem, youre not just waiting, youre draining your cash, I read this news somewhere, that the cost of the Rafale deal has decreased a lot than the initially agreed upon figure,
im quite sure if you invest that much cash on LCA, eventually you'll have a great homegrown platform.

Regarding Investment on LCA...there was never any issue related with money on this project....

 

[Max Pain]

Regarding Investment on LCA...there was never any issue related with money on this project....

did I say there was any?
all im saying that if you invest more on that, it'll be more feasible.

 

[SpArK]

This empowered team or person will be visiting local gyms and putting up Rafale's posters there.