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Negotiations for the sale to the United Arab Emirates of 60 Dassault Aviation Rafale combat aircraft passed a major milestone today, as the U.A.E. government submitted its specifications to France. This will allow detailed contract negotiations to begin on prices and delivery dates, possibly leading to contract signature by year-end. This government-to-government deal is valued at 6 to 8 billion euros, depending on the exact content of the weapons, support and spares package included in the contract. Long-running talks on the contract had been coasting while Abu Dhabi, whose air force will operate the aircraft, finalized the technical aspects of the aircraft. These notably included which version of the Snecma M-88 engine, which long-range air-to-air missile, and which radar the UAE wanted, and these technical uncertainties prevented representatives of the two governments from opening formal contract negotiations.
Updated on June 20
The UAE specifications call for a more capable aircraft than the latest F3 standard in production for the French air force and navy. The UAE have asked for engine thrust to be increased to 9 tonnes each (instead of 7.5 tonnes for the current version), which will ensure a very high power-to-weight ratio given that empty weight is less than 10 tonnes (increasing to 24.5 tonnes maximum take-off weight). They also want an AESA radar and improved electronic countermeasures being developed by Thales, and the MBDA Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile. Initial deliveries could begin in 2013 if the contract is signed by year-end. Below are the related statements issued this morning by the UAE government and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
UAE Submits Technical Specifications for Rafale to France
The Government of France has received the technical and operational specifications required in the French Rafale jet fighter from the UAE Armed Forces within the framework of the ongoing negotiations between the governments of the UAE and France. The date of signing the deal, which could be one of the most important export contracts of the aircraft so far, is set to be fixed in pursuant of results of the financial negotiations.
2 comments:
at last rafale is going to get a customer, i think the french should have teamed with the eurofighter rather then developing their own plane , now europe has 3 new fighters(rafale,eurofighter and gripen).if they had a single plane then it would have been better for them as well as other countries buying them .now europeans are competing in themselves instead of the rest of the world .
Competition is Good!
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