Neelam Mathews

France’s nine-year wait for a contract from India for the Rafale is not quite over, but an inter-government agreement covering acquisition of 36 fighters was signed during President François Hollande’s visit to New Delhi on January 26. Invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be the chief guest at India's Republic Day military parade in New Delhi, Hollande also joined the Indian leader in witnessing the confirmation of a previously announced partnership between Mahindra Defence and Airbus Helicopters.

 


The Rafale signing “has effectively transformed the nature of the transaction from a commercial bid to a government to government sale,” Rahul Gangal, partner with consultancy group Roland and Berger, told AIN. While Dassault Aviation said “it is very pleased with this progress, and is actively supporting French authorities in their efforts to finalize a complete agreement within the next four weeks,” there are doubts in India about this timeline. Some offset, support and cost issues remain unresolved.

 


However, an Indian defense ministry official told AIN that “the deal is virtually done and both countries have committed to the buy.” He further noted that the two other French industrial partners in Team Rafale, Safran and Thales, are in a better position to honor the offset requirements, given their decades-long involvement with Indian industry. France and India signed a total of 16 agreements during Hollande’s visit, and those relating to energy generation (including nuclear) and urban security could be relevant to France’s offset obligations.

 


Commenting on the pact with Mahindra, Guillaume Faury, Airbus Helicopters president and CEO, said: “Through this partnership, we target building several of our…helicopter models in India.” The two companies have proposed “to set-up a final assembly line in India, develop Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers and extensive transfer of technology, with the intent to ultimately achieve 50 percent indigenous content.” However, a military official said this would take place only once there is an Indian procurement contract in hand. “Nobody will set up a greenfield project [here] for the overseas market,” he noted.

 


“The helicopters we are proposing are of proven designs. We are laying the groundwork with the objective to ramp up quickly,” said Devendra Bhatnagar, CEO of Mahindra Defence Naval Systems. A request for proposal for 123 multirole helicopters (NMRH) for the Indian Navy is expected. The service previously selected Sikorsky to supply 16 S-70B SeaHawks to part-meet the NMRH requirement, but no contract has been&nbsp;signed yet .

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

French and Indian Leaders Advance Fighter, Helicopter Pacts

But contract for 36 Rafales remains to be signed, and most details of the helicopter deal remain undefined. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Henry Brooks of Collins Aerospace will serve as chair of the board

GAMA Announces 2025 Executive Committee Leadership Team

Kerry Lynch

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Carrier has six Gulfstream G700s in its fleet and awaits four more

Qatar Executive's G700 Fleet Grows with Two Additions

Chad Trautvetter

Strong North American market boosts overall activity

Business Aircraft Flying Soars Higher in December

Matt Thurber

The Super Versatile Jet is full of surprises

Pilot Report: Pilatus PC-24

Charles Alcock

Latest version of the design was unveiled at the recent China Airshow in Zhuhai

Manta Steps Up Work on Ann6 Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

The SUV of jets can land on unpaved runways and has a massive cargo door

Flying the Updated Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet

Air Bravo purchased the freighter version of the twin-turboprop

Cessna SkyCourier Certified by Transport Canada

Pilatus and Piper products make up the majority of sales

Western Aircraft Achieves $2B in Total Aircraft Sales

More In Aircraft