Until the last minute, the French have held their breath as the contract for the sale of 36 fighter Rafale to India, signed on September 23, 2016, has given rise to an important suspense. And multiple twists. Balance sheet of almost 10 years of discussions for an agreement for 8 billion euros: “The Indians are formidable negotiators”…
“in India, it is a school of patience”, sums up the CEO of the aeronautics group Dassault, Eric Trappier, who has followed the negotiation of end-to-end since the tender colossal launched by India for 126 aircraft in 2007. the “The Indians are frankly frightening as negotiators”, ” says a French diplomat to the fact of all the mazes of the folder.
at the End of 2014, discussions are held on technical safeguards claimed by India for the aircraft that will be assembled locally. the “We finally say: enough !”, tells a source of the French government.
In April of 2015, the hope is reborn. India is then pressed by the pressing needs of its air force. And suggests that she is ready to buy Burst “key in hands” in France rather than continue to negotiate in vain for a contract of 126 aircraft.
The turning
All plays out during a visit of the new indian Prime minister Narendra Modi in the Hexagon. On 9 April, the indian delegation landed at 23h in Paris and was immediately received at the Elysée. The Indian “we talk about (then) of 36 aircraft and ask us to tell them the next day how one sees things” recalls-one in the entourage of the French Defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian.
All night, advisors to the minister and the industry are working on an offer. The next morning, president François Hollande is “briefed” just before his interview with Narendra Modi. But during this whole discussion, this last says nothing about the Rafale… Following a lunch, in presence of several ministers, in the course of which Jean-Yves Le Drian tried in vain to put the topic on the table. the “Put the cover”, him blowing the head of the French State in a small written word.
The indian Prime minister remains impassive until the end. At the final press conference, he eventually let go, much to the relief of his hosts: “I have asked (..) (the French, ED.) to provide us with 36 Burst key in hands”, he says.
The trading then resumes its rights. All in all, Jean-Yves Le Drian has visited eight times in India between 2013 and 2016. In his entourage, the follow-up meetings weekly follow. In the fall of 2015, the “we believed we had an agreement”, says a French diplomat. But the Indians continue to submit requests, to general surprise.
When president François Hollande arrives on a State visit to New Delhi in January 2016, the intergovernmental agreement (IAG) governing the transaction is already well advanced. But has not yet finalized…
Comes time to sign a document stating that the negotiation is “leveled”. And there, coup de theatre. The Indian “we say: “We agree, except on this, this, this…”“ recalls-one in the entourage of Jean-Yves Le Drian. the “said “no” and wrote a text in fifteen minutes, the two ministers (Defense) have signed, saying that there was there (databases) an AIG”, affime does one government source in Paris.
from there, it only remains to stop the price. the “at the Beginning of April, The Drian wrote to his counterpart that the negotiated price is objectively good”.
The agreement is in its final stretch, But the lengthy contract procedures for indian delay yet the happy outcome until September. the “They have the normal requirement of a partner who wants to have the guarantee of its commitments. There is nothing to reproach them, ( … ). in But when it is finished, one is content”, found, smile, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the ink is just dry on the contract to New Delhi.
Pakistan and China?
In the indian press, we are looking forward to the signing of this contract. Equipped with the Rafale, the air forces of the indian will be able to “hit targets both in Pakistan and beyond the borders north and east (of India), while remaining within the country”, argues the site thequint.com.
The objectives are very clearly displayed : Pakistan (specifically named) and China. Problem : “India is in need of something other than the Burst to catch up”, Peking, notes The Times of India, quoting an AFP…
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