SOURCE: IDRW NEWS NETWORK ( INN )
It’s again Rafale vs Eurofighter Typhoon contest for a $10 billion contract for up to 60 combat jets in the United Arab Emirates, Statements by Emirati officials in Dubai Airshow had said that Rafale was again in favor would suggest a big turn round for Dassault.
When idrw.org spoke to Charles Armitage, Defense analyst on Middle-east, he said that UAE has been closely watching Indian negotiation with Dassault to go through and has been getting updates by Indians on the current negotiation.
Agreement on the purchase of Rafale from France might happen in next few months before next General Elections to be held in May, Dassault has strengthen its position in United Arab Emirates when France was able to sell Military Spy satellite to Emirates earlier this year, Dassault has been the clear favorite after that deal in the UAE, especially after France’s made significant efforts to deepen its military ties.
But UAE still is watching Indian deal carefully, since it doesn’t want to be sole export customer for Rafale fighter jets, Rafale has France Military as its only firm customer. The cash-strapped French government this summer slashed the number of Rafale jet fighters it would buy and by 2016 Dassault would have to count on exports which it still doesn’t have signed and sealed to keep production rolling.
Final contract negotiations with India are proving difficult; France’s request for $2 billion extra to upgrade the technology India wants has led to further deals. nobody likes being the only export customer for a programme, as it tends to reduce flexibility and increase the upgrade and maintenance costs,” if UAE goes for Typhoon or Indian deal falls this could bring Typhoon back into the picture”. While UK hopes that securing the UAE as a customer could result in sales around the Gulf. Britain has already won orders from Saudi Arabia and Oman and interest from Bahrain.
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