NEW DELHI: France’s defence minister said yesterday negotiations with India to sell 126 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation were proceeding well, but did not say when the deal would be finalised.
India picked the Rafale for exclusive negotiations in January 2012 after a hotly contested bidding war. But differences over the industrial role of India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd have delayed the deal.
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is on a three-day visit to India, told reporters he was not concerned about the delay in finalising the $15bn contract, one of the world’s largest defence import orders.
“Of course, the project is the priority. At the risk of disappointing you, I will not be announcing the date of signing the contract. I would like you to know that the negotiations are going on well and I have full confidence,” Le Drian said.
Under the deal, Dassault is expected to send 18 ready-made jets, then manufacture the rest in India. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will be the company’s lead partner in the process.
Dassault had earlier expressed doubts about the technological capability of HAL to manufacture such a sophisticated fighter jet.
Le Drian said the fighter deal called for the involvement of Indian companies.
“Numerous Indian companies will benefit from the offset laid down in the contract and I know for a fact that they have been actively preparing for this.”
Le Drian met Defence Minister A K Antony earlier yesterday.
An Indian defence ministry spokesman declined to comment on the status of negotiations for the jet deal. But a joint statement said any defence deal must involve greater collaboration to protect their mutual interests.
REUTERS
