France splurges EUR 3bn on 59 Dassault Rafale fighter jets

[The Watcher]

its about time someone placed orders for these suckers!

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France splurges EUR 3bn on Dassault fighter jets

PARIS, Dec 7 (AFP) - France unveiled Tuesday the order of 59 nuclear-capable Rafale fighter jets from the French aeronautic group Dassault Aviation in a contract worth more than EUR 3 billion (USD 4 billion).

Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie gave official notification of the order, initiated last February, during a Senate debate Monday on the French defence budget, the ministry said in a statement.

The Rafale order is the largest to date by the French government, which has been the only purchaser of the Dassault jet since the programme's launch in 1988.

It brings to 120 the total number ordered so far, including 82 for the air force and 38 designed for carrier use by the navy.

The new contract includes 47 of the air force version and 12 for use on carriers, with deliveries to extend from 2008-2012.

All of the new planes will be designed to carry medium-range, air-to-ground nuclear weapons in addition to a range of other arms.

The order is a boost not only for Dassault, which stands to earn EUR 1.3 billion, but also for the defence electronics group Thales which is set to make EUR 1 billion from the deal by providing the navigation and attack systems.

Jet engine maker Snecma is to earn EUR 600 million.

A fourth major industrial group set to benefit is the missile maker MBDA, which is controlled by the European aerospace company European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, the British group BAE Systems, and Finmeccanica of Italy.

According to the French defence program for 2003-2007, the armed services should have a total of 234 Rafales for the air force and 60 for the navy by 2020.
source

 

[gf0012-aust]

its about time someone placed orders for these suckers!

The fact that there hasn't been is actually indicative of buyer caution. Rafale has lost out to a number of contests. - and it's not as if France can complain about US "allies" being pressured, because there is only one suspect case of that being aired - and even that one is dubious.

There is only one cashed up buyer left, and somehow I doubt that they will be going with Rafale as well.

Allegorical evidence indicates that another plane is first choice.

 

[highsea]

Interesting that France bailed out of the Typhoon to build the Rafale, and they're the only country that seems to want them.

One has to wonder what France is going to do with 294 Rafales... :?

 

[gf0012-aust]

Interesting that France bailed out of the Typhoon to build the Rafale, and they're the only country that seems to want them.

One has to wonder what France is going to do with 294 Rafales... :?

The problem for France is that this is the similar pickle she has with respect to the Leclerc. A fine piece of technology, but being propped up by state interests. In addition, they are overpriced for what they are and what they can offer.

Singapore should really be in the box seat, as France is so desperate to get any international sales, that she is rumoured to have dropped below the baseline price + offer missile development as a carrot.

AFM has reported that the SAF was singularly impressed by the Typhoon, but more impressed by the AESA snouted F15's. That implies that the Rafale is coming third.

Hard to say though, as Singapore is normally tight lipped about what their purchasing intent is likely to be on anything from bullets to major capital vessels.

.

 

[SABRE]

There is only one cashed up buyer left, and somehow I doubt that they will be going with Rafale as well.

Who is this left alone buyer gf???

 

[gf0012-aust]

There is only one cashed up buyer left, and somehow I doubt that they will be going with Rafale as well.

Who is this left alone buyer gf???

Singapore. Although the issue of tech transfer on missile programmes is a tempting carrot, I'm not sure whether that will seal the deal.

Then again, who knows with these things.

 

[adsH]

GF any chance RSAF Saudi Arabia would be goign for this particular AC, last time i heard they were evaluating there options for upgrading there Fleet of aging AC with more potent AC, and Rafael was one of there top choices. i think if RSAF buys they will buy in volume bringing down the price per-unit for other Buyers so its would be worth looking into for France, I'm sure they already are.

 

[gf0012-aust]

GF any chance RSAF Saudi Arabia would be goign for this particular AC, last time i heard they were evaluating there options for upgrading there Fleet of aging AC with more potent AC, and Rafael was one of there top choices. i think if RSAF buys they will buy in volume bringing down the price per-unit for other Buyers so its would be worth looking into for France, I'm sure they already are.

AFAIK, the Saudis have already rejected the plane. It was offered last year.

 

[armage]

Well.............
If the ban on the Chinese for weapons sales if lifted I'm pretty sure the PLA would want the Rafale.