UAE Rafale Talks Moving Ahead: French Minister

[sonicboom]

UAE Rafale Talks Moving Ahead: French Minister

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 15 Jun 2010

PARIS - Technical talks on the sale of Rafale fighters to the United Arab Emirates are wrapping up, Defense Minister Herve Morin said June 15, adding that France was likely to pick up part of modernization costs.

Regarding the improvements that the UAE is seeking to the multi-role aircraft, Morin said on France Info radio "that's a discussion we've been engaged in for months and which is in the course of being finalized".

Talks on acquiring the latest-generation French-made fighters began after the UAE expressed interest in 2008 in replacing its 60 aging Mirage fighters.

Morin said the costs of the modernization was in the order of two billion euros, not four to five billion euros as has been speculated, and that France would likely absorb some of the costs as it had planned to carry them out anyway.

Regarding Brazil, Morin said he "remains confident" that the Rafale will prevail.

The Rafale, made by Dassault, has yet to clinch a single overseas sale and is in competition with Sweden's Gripen NG by Saab and the F/A-18 Super Hornet manufactured by U.S. giant Boeing.

The deal for 36 fighter planes is estimated to be worth between four and seven billion dollars, depending on details of armaments, maintenance and peripheral industrial involvement.

"We've established a relationship of trust with the Brazilians and they have never let us down," said Morin.

UAE Rafale Talks Moving Ahead: French Minister - Defense News

[keysersoze]

Originally Posted by sonicboom

UAE Rafale Talks Moving Ahead: French Minister

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 15 Jun 2010

PARIS - Technical talks on the sale of Rafale fighters to the United Arab Emirates are wrapping up, Defense Minister Herve Morin said June 15, adding that France was likely to pick up part of modernization costs.

Regarding the improvements that the UAE is seeking to the multi-role aircraft, Morin said on France Info radio "that's a discussion we've been engaged in for months and which is in the course of being finalized".

Talks on acquiring the latest-generation French-made fighters began after the UAE expressed interest in 2008 in replacing its 60 aging Mirage fighters.

Morin said the costs of the modernization was in the order of two billion euros, not four to five billion euros as has been speculated, and that France would likely absorb some of the costs as it had planned to carry them out anyway.

Regarding Brazil, Morin said he "remains confident" that the Rafale will prevail.

The Rafale, made by Dassault, has yet to clinch a single overseas sale and is in competition with Sweden's Gripen NG by Saab and the F/A-18 Super Hornet manufactured by U.S. giant Boeing.

The deal for 36 fighter planes is estimated to be worth between four and seven billion dollars, depending on details of armaments, maintenance and peripheral industrial involvement.

"We've established a relationship of trust with the Brazilians and they have never let us down," said Morin.

UAE Rafale Talks Moving Ahead: French Minister - Defense News

Yeah well the French have a habit of pissing away good deals. A few good examples are the Saudi deal where they tried to crowbar a load of other stuff the buyer did not want. The Turkish helicopter deal where they passed a pointless law (which offended the Turks )BEFORE the deal was sealed. And not forgetting of course the deal with the JF-17 Avionics. I think all of the above is about 10 Billion in sales......

[Araz]

Shooting oneself in the foot comes to mind.Although why one should do it again and again is beyond my understanding.
Although the CAS has actually denied the fact that the PAF deal has been cancelled.
Araz

[keysersoze]

The French probably think they are being clever.....Lets be honest the Rafale doesn't really have a hope........

[Araz]

Personally if I were incharge of UAE AF,I would ditch the rafale. If maintenance of M2Ks is a problem, which it shouldn't be, then replace them with new Bl60s , otherwise wait till 2017 and buy the F35.US will not deny them that as there is no risk in the sale. I really think it is an overkill to have rafale replce M2k9S when they have a long life left in them.
Araz