Now Dassault Filches Gripen's Line, Declares Rafale's 'Independence'

[Water Car Engineer]

If the gloves weren't off all along, they are now. Just weeks ahead of a final decision on the MMRCA competition, Dassault, which doesn't usually bother with adaptive advertising, has a slew of brand new print ads that tell you a great deal about what they're seeing as the deciding factor in the Indian government's final decision. First off, it must be said, they've pinched the whole "independence" theme from Saab, which pitched its Gripen as the "independent choice" or "choice of independence" ever since it entered the multi-billion dollar competition (and after it was eliminated).

The advert above, appearing in show dailies at the ongoing Dubai Air Show, makes Dassault's so far implicit view of things, pretty plain. "When a single country makes your aircraft from nose to tail, you know what you're getting into. Rafale is not subject to multinational controls.", the copy begins -- a direct swipe at the Typhoon's four-nation heritage. It's the elegance of the business that EADS Cassidian trumpets this very multi-nation backing as a potential coup de grâce in the final stretch. With the commercial offers of both firms understood to be far less disparate than many expected, both firms clearly believe other considerations will come into play. And let's not miss the fact that both have made it utterly plain with their new adverts and statements that they believe, ultimately, in the political decision.


Livefist

 

[wild_fire1979]

They speak the truth... Typhoon all said and done has American components in it. If push comes to shove (I doubt given where the world is moving!), the Americans in theory CAN embargo release of spares and technology.

Since India will be a big win for Rafale (No international orders yet!) we can definitely get a sweeter deal. Plus, if I think about this strategically (Read selfish!) the French would be the only ones who could have potentially sold the fighter to Pakistan. With us buying it and no chance in hell of Typhoons being sold to Pakistan, it would be a win-win for us.

Also it doesn't hurt that Rafale is an awesome multi-role (WTF is an omnirole????) fighter

 

[tallboy123]

BTW,wat is "OMNIROLE FIGHTER" means???

 

[livingdead]

I think that is one of the major factors that will decide its fate in MMRCA.
Dealing with a single vendor, backed by a economically sound country, is much easier.

 

[cyphercide]

Screw the Rafales.In my opinion,India is too big a nation to be blackmailed for spares by the French(It's happened before with the Mirage program).The EFT being the better air superiority fighter with swing-role functionality and a ready armament missile category leaves no chance for Rafales.Count on it.

 

[desimorty]

BTW,wat is "OMNIROLE FIGHTER" means???

Another of those terms recently invented to make sales target.
Basically is multirole, in a single sortie, both air to air and air to ground in one sortie. The first gen multi role, ie F-16 could only do 1 at a time. Tejas MK1 can only do 1 thing at a time. Su-30MKI and Tejas MK2 can do more than 1 thing in single sortie.
It has a lot to do with weapons payload, pylons and pilot vechile interface. The Su-30MKI gets around the last bit by having 2 pilots.

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

So on the downside, we have to basically choose between a plane with Yank components that can get taken off the shelves anytime Uncle Sam has his periods, or one where Sarkozy and future French governments try to get us to pay top dollar for every nut and bolt. **** I'd take Sarkozy anyday.

 

[LiberalAtheist]

EFT is the way to go its more advanced and has lower RCS than the Rafale btw we could just replace the American weapons with Israeil or weapons from MBDA

 

[hawx]

i do not think America will ever put India under sanction in future !

choose the best one !

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

i do not think America will ever put India under sanction in future !

choose the best one !

Never say never (**** I just quoted Justin Bieber....my life is officially over). The Yanks are about as politically reliable as potatoes.

 

[dbc]

Never say never (**** I just quoted Justin Bieber....my life is officially over). The Yanks are about as politically reliable as potatoes.

..and the Rafale is as independent as land locked Nepal

 

[SpArK]

..and the Rafale is as independent as land locked Nepal

Yup they are .. Mirage deals never had any external factors affecting.

 

[bc040400065]

the good thing about rafale is the french damn care about politics or what anyone else have to say, they do pure business. Even they were willing to sell rafale to libya.... So french are more reliable in this regard although they are abit expensive.

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

..and the Rafale is as independent as land locked Nepal

And the connection between the two is?

 

[SpArK]

And the connection between the two is?

Both have the letters "a", "e" and "l" in it.

Nepal and rafal rhymes or nepale or rafale rhymes.