French company Dassault Rafale bagged India's biggest-ever contract for supplying 126 combat aircraft for the air force’s medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal for $10.4 billion, edging out European competitor EADS.
Though I thought that Eurofighter is a better aircraft, its cost (~$125 mn apiece) must have played a part. But then, Rafale is already battle tested, performing admirably in the Libyan operation ‘Unified Protector’ last year.
During the Libyan operations, the performance of Rafale had been quite impressive. Reports suggested there were no ‘zero-fly-days’ due to aircraft unavailability and turnaround time was just 90 minutes.
Interestingly, Rafales boast a 25% less maintenance than the existing Mirage 2000s! I believe Rafale has no mandatory preventive or scheduled maintenance requirements, even though they have partial-stealth. You have to service the machine only when they fly, which should be quite a bonus.
So let us see. Next Republic day may be we can see them on the fly past.
But my Curious half questions, ‘Will the French jump and deliver half a dozen in time for the Independence Day? Is there enough time for it - training and delivery?’
Though I thought that Eurofighter is a better aircraft, its cost (~$125 mn apiece) must have played a part. But then, Rafale is already battle tested, performing admirably in the Libyan operation ‘Unified Protector’ last year.
During the Libyan operations, the performance of Rafale had been quite impressive. Reports suggested there were no ‘zero-fly-days’ due to aircraft unavailability and turnaround time was just 90 minutes.
Interestingly, Rafales boast a 25% less maintenance than the existing Mirage 2000s! I believe Rafale has no mandatory preventive or scheduled maintenance requirements, even though they have partial-stealth. You have to service the machine only when they fly, which should be quite a bonus.
So let us see. Next Republic day may be we can see them on the fly past.
But my Curious half questions, ‘Will the French jump and deliver half a dozen in time for the Independence Day? Is there enough time for it - training and delivery?’
Yup, watch this space. Eurofighter lobby is still eying the contract, hoping that the Dassault will back out of the contract with the stipulations for technology transfer etc.
ReplyDelete:-) I think Dassault is desperate for orders and would/should bend over backwards. But then the French Presidential elections are due in May - If they bend over too much, they might be accused of caving in/surrendering!?!
DeleteThe art of negotiating - do we have it?