Rafale to UAE: Dassault goes into high gear
By Par Alain Ruello | 23/07/2013 | 07:20
France is determined to sell 60 Rafale to the UAE. But to succeed, she must improve her offer in terms of industrial cooperation.
Although she failed to do so in the Sarkozy era, France is determined to sell 60 Rafale in the UAE, surfing on the trusted relationship refound between the two countries. Facing the Eurofighter led by BAE Systems and London, Dassault can argue better performance. Regarding the price, again, the match appeared to favor the tricolor aircraft as demonstrated its victory over its European rival in the Indian tender.
On the diplomatic front, the game is more balanced. Paris is an historical ally of the Gulf kingdom and concluded a defense agreement in 2007 with the establishment of a military base there. But London is not left out and is negotiating a major defense agreement with its former protectorate.
Last criterion that will decide between the two camps: industrial cooperation. In this area, the British seem to have taken a step ahead. "They offered a lot," one says in the French camp. When the Rafale was the sole candidate, the manufacturer and the DGA had put on the table the possibility of the two countries to share the cost of some Rafale's technical improvements. They will probably have to go further by associating local industry.
The take back of 60 Mirage 2000-9
In the end, Paris has a master card even if it must be handled carefully : the take-back of 60 Mirage 2000-9. At this point, Abu Dhabi has set the following rule, one explains to "Les Echos", those who will win the deal will be responsible for selling these aircrafts, half of them are nearly 30 year old. As this is a French weapon, Paris has a veto right on their re-export.
To satisfy this rule, BAE therefore needs accurate information - for example to assess the cost of the buy back - that Paris obviously refuses to provide for not favoring the Dassault rival. It is fair game. But what if Abu Dhabi finally choose the Eurofighter? will france block the Mirage resale and the deal and therefore break the trust patiently rewoven?
Meanwhile, the Americans did not remain inactive. They negotiate the sale of twenty F-16 to replace the out of service part of their 80 [F16 fleet] and the installation of Nato Link 16 throughout the fleet. It also seems that this should be accompanied by a large package of air-to-ground missiles. With the hope that, in the end, the Emirates replace these devices with F-35.
Les Echos
