Defence & civil N cooperation will dominate Francois Hollande's visit; cooperation on rail infra

[PARIKRAMA]

Defence & civil nuclear cooperation will dominate Francois Hollande's visit; cooperation on rail infra


NEW DELHI: Defence and civil nuclear cooperation will not be the only things that will dominate the visit of Francois Hollande — the fifth French leader to be chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations — with India and Paris working to expand partnership in areas of smart cities, solar energy, counter-terrorism, rail infrastructure and space.

While Hollande travels to Chandigarh (designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier) as one of the 3 cities chosen by France to make them smart, the French leader would devote time towards providing support to India's clean energy projects in the backdrop of Paris climate energy meet by being present at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the International Solar Alliance Secretariat on January 25 in Gurgaon along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, official sources indicated. Modi had launched the solar initiative at the Paris meet last November.


The Modi government is investing an initial $30m in setting up the 120-country-solar alliance's headquarters in India. The eventual goal is to raise $400m from membership fees, and international agencies.

Companies involved in the project include Areva, Engie, Enel, HSBC France and Tata Steel. Areva is also setting up a nuclear power plant in Jaitapur, after France became the first country to conclude a civil nuclear deal with India following a clean waiver by Nuclear Suppliers Group in in September 2008.

Modi's trip to Paris last April witnessed landmark MoU for technocommercial cooperation between Areva and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, as well as a key pact between French nuclear giant and Larsen and Toubro for making components in this country for setting up six advanced reactors at Jaitapur.

Besides Chandigarh, Pondicherry (a former French colony) and Nagpur have been identified as cities which France will assist make smart under the Modi government's smart city programme. The collaboration include working together on feasibility studies, building capacities at national, region and local levels, organising workshops/trainings, forging business-to-business partnerships and implementing any other projects mutually determined. "France is ready to implement its best technological solutions and share its experience in the field of integrated sustainable cities, in particular in urban planning, urban grids, water and sanitation, sustai ..

Hollande will land directly at Chandigarh next Sunday and Modi is expected to receive him at the city. The French president is expected to visit couple of destinations in the city where the advance team has already surveyed. The advance team visited capitol Complex, Rock Garden, Government Museum, Tagore Theatre.

Read more at:
Defence & civil nuclear cooperation will dominate Francois Hollande's visit; cooperation on rail infrastructure likely - The Economic Times

Other deals include

- Follow on Scorpene subs
- Point Defence Missile System to be jointly produced
- IGA of Rafale

 

[PARIKRAMA]

@Vauban @Abingdonboy

 

[anant_s]

This Republic day Parade is going to have a French flavor!
Images from Republic Day rehearsal at Rajpath, New Delhi

From #RDay rehearsals at Rajpath. Pix: MoD | Facebook




@Abingdonboy @Vauban @Taygibay @Levina @nair @Echo_419

 

[Taygibay]

The band was sent for the parade but the soldiers were already in India.

Why?
. . . . because they are taking part in Shakti 2016, the 1-week anti-terror seminar/exercise.

Their home back in France is Belfort as they are from the 35th RI _Infantry Regiment_.

Of course, despite the flurry of deal options, we all know which would make fans ecstatic ...
and it ain't the rail one!

G'day all, Tay.

 

[Abingdonboy]

This Republic day Parade is going to have a French flavor!
Images from Republic Day rehearsal at Rajpath, New Delhi
View attachment 288065 View attachment 288066 View attachment 288067 View attachment 288069 View attachment 288070 View attachment 288071

From #RDay rehearsals at Rajpath. Pix: MoD | Facebook




@Abingdonboy @Vauban @Taygibay @Levina @nair @Echo_419

I think the signifcance of French soldiers participating in the R-day parade hasn't been fully expressed by the media (they are too focused on demonising the security forces I guess).

If one had to make a bet on May 15 2014 who's soldiers would be marching down Rajpath on 26 January 2016 I don't think many would have expected it to be French (although in hindsight it is clear to see why). A lot has been made of India's strategic outreach to Japan, the US and Israel but France has remained the dark horse throughout even if in retrospect the breadcrumbs are apparent. This isn't buissness as usual between India and France, they are trying to make this a strategic relationship and it will be interesting to see how this evolves. The scope for coopoeration (in all sectors) is immense.


@PARIKRAMA @Vauban @Taygibay @Levina @SpArK @ayesha.a @nair @Spectre @Bang Galore @AUSTERLITZ @Echo_419 @Koovie @scorpionx @Water Car Engineer @acetophenol @Parul @MilSpec @kbd-raaf @mkb95 @AMCA @XiNiX @Roybot @IndoUS @janon

 

[raj76]

PM Modi’s hotline to Hollande broke Rafale ice

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direct intervention and dialogue with French President Francois Hollande late last year led to the thaw in the deadlock in the Rafale jets deal, it is learnt.

In November 2015, before he left for COP-21 climate conference in Paris, Modi spoke with Hollande and convinced the French President to agree to a 50-per cent offset clause, a defence ministry official told The Indian Express. While 30 per cent offset clause is mandatory in defence contracts of the quantum of the Rafale deal, an exception of 50 per cent was made in line with the earlier Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal, which was cancelled.

According to those in the know of the developments, France has offered the aircraft at a price at which its own air force buys the jets.
The Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the deal is expected to be signed during Hollande’s Republic Day visit to New Delhi, beginning January 24. Once signed, the Rafale deal could be India’s biggest offset contract till date.

Modi had announced India’s decision to buy 36 Rafale jets during his visit to France last April. The Indian and French sides subsequently created two working groups to work out the fine print of the contract. While most of the details — financials, delivery schedules, add-ons and service schedules, among others — have been agreed upon, consensus could not be reached on the 50-per cent offset clause, which India wanted to help its domestic industry as part of the Make in India programme. France, however, had been contending that there is no mechanism for offsets in inter-governmental deals such as Rafale.

Prime Minister Modi was informed at this point and he used his rapport with the French President to break the deadlock,” the source said. “The French have now agreed to the offset clause.”

Inking of the IGA will be succeeded by follow-on contracts between private entities, which involves a joint venture between Dassault, the French aircraft manufacturer, and an Indian major. Sources said the Indian side has pressed for a delivery schedule beginning three years from the date of signing of the IGA. Six aircraft are slated to be delivered each year.

The Indian Air Force will raise two squadrons of the fighters, the first one being in Ambala.

- See more at: PM Modi’s hotline to Hollande broke Rafale ice | The Indian Express

 

[Levina]

- Follow on Scorpene subs
- Point Defence Missile System to be jointly produced
- IGA of Rafale

France has declared economic emergency in the country how will this effect the deals?

 

[PARIKRAMA]

France has declared economic emergency in the country how will this effect the deals?

It should not effect as such .. As of what i am reading France needs orders to sustain and increase 30k new employment opportunities for next decade. the Rafales and scorpene follow on orders are whats being touted as one of the major contributors. The other being a possible rafale sale to another country and Mistral sale proposed to few countries. So its a win win for both sides.

There is an added impetus based on one more slightly off the record deal. Source says the following

• The SSN project of India is derived from two likely projects intermixed together. The first being the Russian N Subs which India has operated but the second being the Scorpene subs India is building in MDL.
• The SSN is expected to be around 5300 tonnes surfaced and 6000 tonnes submerged. Its a bit larger than the French Barracuda which is around 4700 tonnes surfaced and 5300 tonnes submerged.
• The larger size is owing to the domestic reactor size being a bit larger than the french N sub reactor.
• India has indicated its interest in a french reactor for 150 MW (K15) but not much progress is made as of now.
• The interest lies with the stepping up from the same reactor to power our SSBN larger size projects.
• There is a greater interest of adding the Akula learned technologies of Russian origins and design points amalgamated to design of French sub.
• The single hull design of Scorpene and its relative ease in construction and costs in MDL seems to have caught the fancy of our planners.
• Also the price estimates comes down considerably using such a methodology where present Scorpenes cost around $775-800 Mn, the SSN full fledged is estimated around $1.2-1.4 Bn per sub a 50-80% increase.
• A pure Russian design inspired N Sub will cost us around $ 1.8 Bn+ per Sub infact most reports indicates the latest Yasen sub costs around $2.4 Bn per sub (Yasen was the first inspiration for GOI for basically the design based on which SSN were supposed to be planned)
• French DCNS, French Government and Indian government are in a 3 way talk on this.
• All of them are ready for such a upgraded design of Scorpenes but when it comes to reactor the talks are a bit slow
• French side is ready for being an outside consultant same like Russians side for Arihant reactor. But GOI does not want to wait for 10 years+ for reactor to be field tested and then into SSNs. Its aim is first SSN in 9-10 years around 2025-26 timeline Which is ambitious.

@Abingdonboy @anant_s @Vauban

 

[Spectre]

It should not effect as such .. As of what i am reading France needs orders to sustain and increase 30k new employment opportunities for next decade. the Rafales and scorpene follow on orders are whats being touted as one of the major contributors. The other being a possible rafale sale to another country and Mistral sale proposed to few countries. So its a win win for both sides.

There is an added impetus based on one more slightly off the record deal. Source says the following

• The SSN project of India is derived from two likely projects intermixed together. The first being the Russian N Subs which India has operated but the second being the Scorpene subs India is building in MDL.
• The SSN is expected to be around 5300 tonnes surfaced and 6000 tonnes submerged. Its a bit larger than the French Barracuda which is around 4700 tonnes surfaced and 5300 tonnes submerged.
• The larger size is owing to the domestic reactor size being a bit larger than the french N sub reactor.
• India has indicated its interest in a french reactor for 150 MW (K15) but not much progress is made as of now.
• The interest lies with the stepping up from the same reactor to power our SSBN larger size projects.
• There is a greater interest of adding the Akula learned technologies of Russian origins and design points amalgamated to design of French sub.
• The single hull design of Scorpene and its relative ease in construction and costs in MDL seems to have caught the fancy of our planners.
• Also the price estimates comes down considerably using such a methodology where present Scorpenes cost around $775-800 Mn, the SSN full fledged is estimated around $1.2-1.4 Bn per sub a 50-80% increase.
• A pure Russian design inspired N Sub will cost us around $ 1.8 Bn+ per Sub infact most reports indicates the latest Yasen sub costs around $2.4 Bn per sub (Yasen was the first inspiration for GOI for basically the design based on which SSN were supposed to be planned)
• French DCNS, French Government and Indian government are in a 3 way talk on this.
• All of them are ready for such a upgraded design of Scorpenes but when it comes to reactor the talks are a bit slow
• French side is ready for being an outside consultant same like Russians side for Arihant reactor. But GOI does not want to wait for 10 years+ for reactor to be field tested and then into SSNs. Its aim is first SSN in 9-10 years around 2025-26 timeline Which is ambitious.

@Abingdonboy @anant_s @Vauban

Dont expect much development on the military reactors. We are not at that stage of relationship with the French. May be if there was a 120+ order of Rafales to go along in one go with hefty down-payment of 20% coming out to be 7/8 Billion USD but no use living in the fantasy world. I know that hints were given but MoD rightly decided not to be impatient.

It is better we take it forward in stages and incorporate new developments in future in tranches. As of now there is no imminent threat on our heads which would require us to break the bank.

 

[Levina]

It should not effect as such .. As of what i am reading France needs orders to sustain and increase 30k new employment opportunities for next decade. the Rafales and scorpene follow on orders are whats being touted as one of the major contributors. The other being a possible rafale sale to another country and Mistral sale proposed to few countries. So its a win win for both sides.

There is an added impetus based on one more slightly off the record deal. Source says the following

• The SSN project of India is derived from two likely projects intermixed together. The first being the Russian N Subs which India has operated but the second being the Scorpene subs India is building in MDL.
• The SSN is expected to be around 5300 tonnes surfaced and 6000 tonnes submerged. Its a bit larger than the French Barracuda which is around 4700 tonnes surfaced and 5300 tonnes submerged.
• The larger size is owing to the domestic reactor size being a bit larger than the french N sub reactor.
• India has indicated its interest in a french reactor for 150 MW (K15) but not much progress is made as of now.
• The interest lies with the stepping up from the same reactor to power our SSBN larger size projects.
• There is a greater interest of adding the Akula learned technologies of Russian origins and design points amalgamated to design of French sub.
• The single hull design of Scorpene and its relative ease in construction and costs in MDL seems to have caught the fancy of our planners.
• Also the price estimates comes down considerably using such a methodology where present Scorpenes cost around $775-800 Mn, the SSN full fledged is estimated around $1.2-1.4 Bn per sub a 50-80% increase.
• A pure Russian design inspired N Sub will cost us around $ 1.8 Bn+ per Sub infact most reports indicates the latest Yasen sub costs around $2.4 Bn per sub (Yasen was the first inspiration for GOI for basically the design based on which SSN were supposed to be planned)
• French DCNS, French Government and Indian government are in a 3 way talk on this.
• All of them are ready for such a upgraded design of Scorpenes but when it comes to reactor the talks are a bit slow
• French side is ready for being an outside consultant same like Russians side for Arihant reactor. But GOI does not want to wait for 10 years+ for reactor to be field tested and then into SSNs. Its aim is first SSN in 9-10 years around 2025-26 timeline Which is ambitious.

@Abingdonboy @anant_s @Vauban

I think i read something similar on BR.

 

[anant_s]

It should not effect as such .. As of what i am reading France needs orders to sustain and increase 30k new employment opportunities for next decade. the Rafales and scorpene follow on orders are whats being touted as one of the major contributors. The other being a possible rafale sale to another country and Mistral sale proposed to few countries. So its a win win for both sides.

There is an added impetus based on one more slightly off the record deal. Source says the following

• The SSN project of India is derived from two likely projects intermixed together. The first being the Russian N Subs which India has operated but the second being the Scorpene subs India is building in MDL.
• The SSN is expected to be around 5300 tonnes surfaced and 6000 tonnes submerged. Its a bit larger than the French Barracuda which is around 4700 tonnes surfaced and 5300 tonnes submerged.
• The larger size is owing to the domestic reactor size being a bit larger than the french N sub reactor.
• India has indicated its interest in a french reactor for 150 MW (K15) but not much progress is made as of now.
• The interest lies with the stepping up from the same reactor to power our SSBN larger size projects.
• There is a greater interest of adding the Akula learned technologies of Russian origins and design points amalgamated to design of French sub.
• The single hull design of Scorpene and its relative ease in construction and costs in MDL seems to have caught the fancy of our planners.
• Also the price estimates comes down considerably using such a methodology where present Scorpenes cost around $775-800 Mn, the SSN full fledged is estimated around $1.2-1.4 Bn per sub a 50-80% increase.
• A pure Russian design inspired N Sub will cost us around $ 1.8 Bn+ per Sub infact most reports indicates the latest Yasen sub costs around $2.4 Bn per sub (Yasen was the first inspiration for GOI for basically the design based on which SSN were supposed to be planned)
• French DCNS, French Government and Indian government are in a 3 way talk on this.
• All of them are ready for such a upgraded design of Scorpenes but when it comes to reactor the talks are a bit slow
• French side is ready for being an outside consultant same like Russians side for Arihant reactor. But GOI does not want to wait for 10 years+ for reactor to be field tested and then into SSNs. Its aim is first SSN in 9-10 years around 2025-26 timeline Which is ambitious.

@Abingdonboy @anant_s @Vauban

I may be mistaken, but i suppose Brazil, is in talks with France to develop an N sub derived from Scorpene class boat.
It should be interesting to note what reactor France has offered them.
In Indian context, a large naval propulsion reactor, also assumes importance as similar design would power INS Vishal class ACs.
So perhaps India might want to explore a singular reliable design core, that can serve other purposes. This would help in simplifying, NSSS (Nuclear Steam Supply System) & subsequent Steam Turbine and propulsion as well from design and manufacturing POV, allowing fast induction of SSBN and AC parallel.

 

[ayesha.a]

It should not effect as such .. As of what i am reading France needs orders to sustain and increase 30k new employment opportunities for next decade. the Rafales and scorpene follow on orders are whats being touted as one of the major contributors. The other being a possible rafale sale to another country and Mistral sale proposed to few countries. So its a win win for both sides.

There is an added impetus based on one more slightly off the record deal. Source says the following

• The SSN project of India is derived from two likely projects intermixed together. The first being the Russian N Subs which India has operated but the second being the Scorpene subs India is building in MDL.
• The SSN is expected to be around 5300 tonnes surfaced and 6000 tonnes submerged. Its a bit larger than the French Barracuda which is around 4700 tonnes surfaced and 5300 tonnes submerged.
• The larger size is owing to the domestic reactor size being a bit larger than the french N sub reactor.
• India has indicated its interest in a french reactor for 150 MW (K15) but not much progress is made as of now.
• The interest lies with the stepping up from the same reactor to power our SSBN larger size projects.
• There is a greater interest of adding the Akula learned technologies of Russian origins and design points amalgamated to design of French sub.
• The single hull design of Scorpene and its relative ease in construction and costs in MDL seems to have caught the fancy of our planners.
• Also the price estimates comes down considerably using such a methodology where present Scorpenes cost around $775-800 Mn, the SSN full fledged is estimated around $1.2-1.4 Bn per sub a 50-80% increase.
• A pure Russian design inspired N Sub will cost us around $ 1.8 Bn+ per Sub infact most reports indicates the latest Yasen sub costs around $2.4 Bn per sub (Yasen was the first inspiration for GOI for basically the design based on which SSN were supposed to be planned)
• French DCNS, French Government and Indian government are in a 3 way talk on this.
• All of them are ready for such a upgraded design of Scorpenes but when it comes to reactor the talks are a bit slow
• French side is ready for being an outside consultant same like Russians side for Arihant reactor. But GOI does not want to wait for 10 years+ for reactor to be field tested and then into SSNs. Its aim is first SSN in 9-10 years around 2025-26 timeline Which is ambitious.

@Abingdonboy @anant_s @Vauban

What/who is your source?

The band was sent for the parade but the soldiers were already in India.

Why?
. . . . because they are taking part in Shakti 2016, the 1-week anti-terror seminar/exercise.

Their home back in France is Belfort as they are from the 35th RI _Infantry Regiment_.

Of course, despite the flurry of deal options, we all know which would make fans ecstatic ...
and it ain't the rail one!

G'day all, Tay.

This is very surprising, it is the first time that a foreign contingent is marching in the RD parade, since it began in 1950. I wonder what's going on. The media is missing this very significant development.

 

[[Bregs]]

French army taking part in republic day parade has some symbolic goodwill value as of now though a welcome one, strategic relationship with French will be challenging and new experience for both India and France

 

[Abingdonboy]

According to those in the know of the developments, France has offered the aircraft at a price at which its own air force buys the jets.

No way! $12BN for 36 jets, $333 million each is obviously what the French are charging

@PARIKRAMA

 

[sathya]

No way! $12BN for 36 jets, $333 million each is obviously what the French are charging

@PARIKRAMA

No body can assume anything now..

I might as well add some rumors and enjoy the show

Here s my fancy deal

54 Rafale - 8 billion $
Weapons - 2 billion $
2 scorpenes - 2 billion $
1st nuke reactor -1.5 billion $