The Hindu : National : Defence deals to be discussed during Manmohan’s Paris visit

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Defence deals to be discussed during Manmohan’s Paris visit

Special Correspondent

IAF plans to acquire 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft
Light utility aircraft for the defence force

NEW DELHI: A range of India-France defence issues are expected to come up for discussion as the Defence Secretary Vijay Singh is scheduled to travel to Paris as part of the official delegation during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit there.

Over the past few years, the bilateral defence ties have seen a growth. Military procurement by India worth between € 5 Billion to € 6 Billion is in the pipeline for which French/European companies are competing.

Top on the agenda is the deal to upgrade the Indian Air Force fleet of Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft.

The Defence Ministry had issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to French companies. The negotiations were underway over the cost of upgrades that includes avionics and weapons systems.

Defence Ministry sources told The Hindu on Sunday that the negotiations were nearing conclusion.

Among the ‘big-ticket deals’ is the IAF plans to acquire 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft in which French Dassault aviation is among the six competitors. The field trials for these aircraft including French Rafale are scheduled to begin next month.

Next in the pipeline is the EADS Eurocopter that is among the five contenders for the 197 light utility aircraft for the defence force following a RFP issued last year by the Ministry of Defence.

The IAF’s quest to acquire six multi role refuel tankers is a competition essentially between the Russian Illyushin and Airbus A330.

A decision is expected since the IAF has completed its evaluation.

In addition, there are other requirements like radars and the Indian Navy had sent its members to study the French system of coastal security that is known for its efficacy. As part of its new coastal security management, the government announced installation of radars across the vast coastline of India.

The French Defence Minister was part of the five Ministers who had accompanied President Nicolas Sarkozy during his visit to India last year, while the Minister of State for Defence Jean Marie Bockel led a delegation to the Bangalore air show this February.

During the visit, he had offered French technology to develop and produce short range surface-to-air missile in India as also in the development of Kaveri engine. This is in addition to the six French Scorpene submarines being built at the Mazagoan docks, Mumbai for the Indian Navy.

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