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The world’s biggest defence deal is in danger of becoming one of the slowest in history. More than two years after India zeroed in on the French Rafale fighter jet-after a tortured 11-year selection process-to replace its ageing MiG-21s, the German-led European consortium which was the runner-up in the race has sought to restart the dogfight by offering a new, cheaper proposal for its Eurofighter Typhoon. The Narendra Modi Government, INDIA TODAY has learnt, is studying the German proposal even as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has been negotiating with France’s Dassault, the maker of the Rafale, to finalise agreements to produce the aircraft in India. The Rafale deal for 126 jets is estimated to cost 20 billion euros (Rs.1.6 lakh crore) over the next decade and is considered the biggest global defence tender.
Representatives of the German government met leaders of the BJP regime in June, within weeks of the latter coming to power, and the talks culminated in a new commercial proposal that seeks to undercut the French bid. The new German offer could bring down the total value of the contract by Rs.20,000 crore over its 10-year duration. The scale of the “discount”-formally offered in early July to Defence Minister Arun Jaitley-was substantial enough to create ripples at the very top of the Government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also being apprised about the development, sources said.
In terms of the net present value- the hypothetical cost of buying the entire fleet in one go at current prices-the new offer is at a little more than 10.5 billion euros while the French price is estimated to be a billion euros more. Calculated on the basis of the firm fixed price-or the amount India has to pay over 10 years-the German price comes to 17.5 billion euros.
In 2012, it is believed the Euro-fighter was priced at more than 21 billion euros, a difference significant enough for the French to win the race. A long process of consultations has since been going on between Dassault and HAL to co-produce the fighter jet. Although these technical and commercial negotiations are learnt to be at an advanced stage, the contract has been hanging fire.
The German offer, which has come through Eurofighter manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space, has raised doubts over the future of the Rafale deal even though there is no scope for a revised price offer in the defence ministry’s procurement rules. Experts believe that while there is no room for renegotiating the con-tract under the rules, the size of the German discount would force the Government to take a fresh look at the price offered by France. The counter-offer is supposed to be the outcome of hectic diplomatic manoeuvring by major European powers that have a high stake in the contract due to its sheer value and the job creation potential that can boost the economy of consortium member nations.
German-led European consortium comes up with a cheaper proposal for its Euro fighter Typhoon : DEFENCE - India Today
Representatives of the German government met leaders of the BJP regime in June, within weeks of the latter coming to power, and the talks culminated in a new commercial proposal that seeks to undercut the French bid. The new German offer could bring down the total value of the contract by Rs.20,000 crore over its 10-year duration. The scale of the “discount”-formally offered in early July to Defence Minister Arun Jaitley-was substantial enough to create ripples at the very top of the Government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also being apprised about the development, sources said.
In terms of the net present value- the hypothetical cost of buying the entire fleet in one go at current prices-the new offer is at a little more than 10.5 billion euros while the French price is estimated to be a billion euros more. Calculated on the basis of the firm fixed price-or the amount India has to pay over 10 years-the German price comes to 17.5 billion euros.
In 2012, it is believed the Euro-fighter was priced at more than 21 billion euros, a difference significant enough for the French to win the race. A long process of consultations has since been going on between Dassault and HAL to co-produce the fighter jet. Although these technical and commercial negotiations are learnt to be at an advanced stage, the contract has been hanging fire.
The German offer, which has come through Eurofighter manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space, has raised doubts over the future of the Rafale deal even though there is no scope for a revised price offer in the defence ministry’s procurement rules. Experts believe that while there is no room for renegotiating the con-tract under the rules, the size of the German discount would force the Government to take a fresh look at the price offered by France. The counter-offer is supposed to be the outcome of hectic diplomatic manoeuvring by major European powers that have a high stake in the contract due to its sheer value and the job creation potential that can boost the economy of consortium member nations.
German-led European consortium comes up with a cheaper proposal for its Euro fighter Typhoon : DEFENCE - India Today