UPDATE 1-France's Dassault out of India fighter deal

[tigershark]

UPDATE 1-France's Dassault out of India fighter deal
 By Bappa Majumdar

NEW DELHI, April 16 (Reuters) - France's Dassault Aviation is out of the running for a $10 billion contract to supply India with 126 multi-role fighter jets, an Indian defence ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

Boeing (BA.N), Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), Russia's MiG-35, Sweden's Saab (SAABb.ST) KAS-39 Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon, a consortium of British, German, Italian and Spanish companies, were the other parties that submitted bids last year for the contract, one of the biggest in the world.

"Rafale did not meet the usual requirement," the spokesman told Reuters.

"The other five companies are still in the race," he said.

In Paris, a Dassault Aviation (DAST.PA) spokesman had no immediate comment on the announcement.

Dassault's other leading partners in the Rafale project include Thales (TCFP.PA), which makes the radar, and engine maker Safran (SAF.PA).

India has said it will soon begin trials of the fighter jets, as it plans to replace its ageing Soviet-era fleet. Defence officials have said the trial process could begin by end-May and could take nearly a year to test the capability of the fighters.

"It will be a long process, as we will check various things, including the capabilities of the fighters in combat scenarios," the spokesman said.

India plans to spend more than $30 billion over the next five years to modernise its largely Soviet-era weapons systems and is also launching its first military spy satellite next year. (Additional reporting by Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by John Mair)

Source
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSBMA00273620090416

[F-111 C/C]

Wow!!

[Webmaster]

What's "usual requirement" to the Indians?

I guess something like start of deliveries?

[Ozzie]

Is there any special reason why the Rafale can't get any export orders?

[WRCKid]

WOW, Dassault can not catch a break huh? Geez!

[SukhoiLover]

Another blow to the Rafale and Dassault, but i think Rafale is still on the race in Brasil.

[F-111 C/C]

Is there any special reason why the Rafale can't get any export orders?

Maybe the same reason why the Edsel didn't sell. The Edsel was a fine automobile, except nobody bought it.

[tigershark]

Never been able to lock down why but can assume:
*Expensive service upkeep France does has that rep
*MICA been reported much more expensive then ARRAAM
*Can't be one of the 14 country's on China's border hint (Taiwan) or China will put pressure on France and your MICA's go belly up.  Rumors are 90% of Taiwan's MICA are past there service life
*Users may want better burst speed
*Greece pilots getting back seat rides only feed back was "wish it had more thrust"
*AG weapons are still a little on the weak side on the current models and still can't mark it's own targets
*The F3 version with better AG maybe mixed with an radar upgrade is coming a little slow
*France announced cut back on production
*Too many years with no sales its getting a lemon rep.  France should have ate some profit and sold a light squadron at offset price just to get it out there. 

Makes you wonder where Rafale leadership is that's for sure.

[MightyHunter]

Well I know the British have been very involved with India the last few years , excercises , trips squadron swaps . If i was a betting person then I would put my cash on Typhoon for India , but thats my opinion only

After all im a serving member of the worlds elite Air Force , that means I know nothing hehehe

[Webmaster]

One thing is for sure, don't expect a decision soon. All remainders will now have to undergo in-country summer and winter tests.