By ET Now | Sep 24, 2016, 02.00 PM IST
In an interview
with ET Now, Eric Trappier,
CEO, Dassault Aviation, says he hopes to develop relationship with
industrial partners. Edited excerpts
ET Now: What do you think about the deal with Indian Airforce?
Eric Trappier: Rafale's performance was evaluated by the Indian Air Force few years ago and based on this evaluation Rafale has been reorganised to be the best. Since that time, we have been working on the deal and while it started with an order for 126 fighters, now we are to deliver 36. But the end of the story is that the Rafale will be the part of the inventory of the Indian Air Force and I think this is really based on the performances of Rafale. It can be part of all types of missions and we all know that today as tensions flare up between countries. One needs to have a good security and defence and the Rafales will add heft to the Indian air force.
ET Now: As the deal came down from 126 to 36 eventually, one is tempted to ask what made you stay on in this deal. Are you anticipating to supply more? Is there a promise of more follow on orders?
Eric Trappier: For the time being, the deal is for 36 and we will work to fulfil this contract but what we will do is really start the partnership here in India and partners Safran, MBDA will really create companies here in India. We will develop our relationships with these partners in order to create work and high level products because we are all partner high level technologies businesses. We really want to be in India.
ET Now: How soon does one expect delivery?
Eric Trappier: Deliveries will come within three years and that is the time to produce the aircraft. It is also time to adapt specificities which were requested by the Indian Air Force for their own requirement and then it will go very fast for this first 36 aircraft. We will work to get more batches of course. Besides being a real good aircraft, this will be a chance to develop a real partnership in terms of industry here in India. I am convinced that we would supply other batches also in the future.
ET Now: Is there an informal understanding of a batch in the future?
Eric Trappier: No, no at this stage.
ET Now: But you are hopeful that there will be...
Eric Trappier: Yes, it is my wish of course.
ET Now: The reason why I asked you that the question was because 36 Rafale aircraft are going to take care of only two squadrons. The parliament believes we need 15 more and which is why I am going to harp along and say is there a sense that you get from the government that they will perhaps test you with the first 36 and then place more orders?
Eric Trappier: I do not know what is behind the scene as far as government's wish. I know what I want. So what I wish is to take the opportunity of this batch of 36 to really install base of industry with partners and based on this, I hope for success as far as industry is concerned. It should be good for the industry to get more orders as far as Rafale is concerned. So, this is really an opportunity for me.
ET Now: What do you think about the deal with Indian Airforce?
Eric Trappier: Rafale's performance was evaluated by the Indian Air Force few years ago and based on this evaluation Rafale has been reorganised to be the best. Since that time, we have been working on the deal and while it started with an order for 126 fighters, now we are to deliver 36. But the end of the story is that the Rafale will be the part of the inventory of the Indian Air Force and I think this is really based on the performances of Rafale. It can be part of all types of missions and we all know that today as tensions flare up between countries. One needs to have a good security and defence and the Rafales will add heft to the Indian air force.
ET Now: As the deal came down from 126 to 36 eventually, one is tempted to ask what made you stay on in this deal. Are you anticipating to supply more? Is there a promise of more follow on orders?
Eric Trappier: For the time being, the deal is for 36 and we will work to fulfil this contract but what we will do is really start the partnership here in India and partners Safran, MBDA will really create companies here in India. We will develop our relationships with these partners in order to create work and high level products because we are all partner high level technologies businesses. We really want to be in India.
ET Now: How soon does one expect delivery?
Eric Trappier: Deliveries will come within three years and that is the time to produce the aircraft. It is also time to adapt specificities which were requested by the Indian Air Force for their own requirement and then it will go very fast for this first 36 aircraft. We will work to get more batches of course. Besides being a real good aircraft, this will be a chance to develop a real partnership in terms of industry here in India. I am convinced that we would supply other batches also in the future.
ET Now: Is there an informal understanding of a batch in the future?
Eric Trappier: No, no at this stage.
ET Now: But you are hopeful that there will be...
Eric Trappier: Yes, it is my wish of course.
ET Now: The reason why I asked you that the question was because 36 Rafale aircraft are going to take care of only two squadrons. The parliament believes we need 15 more and which is why I am going to harp along and say is there a sense that you get from the government that they will perhaps test you with the first 36 and then place more orders?
Eric Trappier: I do not know what is behind the scene as far as government's wish. I know what I want. So what I wish is to take the opportunity of this batch of 36 to really install base of industry with partners and based on this, I hope for success as far as industry is concerned. It should be good for the industry to get more orders as far as Rafale is concerned. So, this is really an opportunity for me.
Original post: economictimes.indiatimes
Related post:
Indiasigns 36-unit Rafale contract - @ flightglobal.com
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