Posted on 05/23/2009 5:07:51 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
France could sell 60 Rafale jets to UAE
May 23, 2009 at 05:56
France is finalising the sale of 60 Rafale combat jets made by France's Dassault Aviation to the United Arab Emirates in a deal worth 6 billion to 8 billion euros ($8 billion to $11 billion), a newspaper reported on Saturday.
France has so far failed to find a foreign buyer for the Rafale jet. Newspaper Le Parisien said President Nicolas Sarkozy would personally push the talks in a visit to Abu Dhabi on Monday and Tuesday.
"An enormous contract, concerning the sale of 60 planes for a total amount of 6 to 8 billion euros - over the space of several years - is being finalised with the United Arab Emirates," the newspaper said.
Citing a source close to the negotiations, it said the talks were extremely complex because the Rafale, which was developed years ago, would have to be upgraded to convince the buyers.
The Rafale is France's most sophisticated combat aircraft, combining both fighter and bomber roles, but it has lost out to rivals offering cheaper, less high-tech models.
Reuters
What sort of threat does this pose to India / Israel, given that Pakistan has access to them?
What are the counter-measures that either of these countries could take, IF these planes are perceived to be an immediate threat by either of them?
The Rafale is not a true stealth aircaft, but has some innonvative features including an advanced self protection suite to make detection difficult-
http://www.mbda-systems.com/mbda/site/ref/scripts/EN_Spectra_135.html
If the Europeans do sell them cruise missiles with it, the Rafale would be a formidable foe to most nations. The SU-30 could probably defeat at close range, but at long range, its better than most contemporary jets.
The sale of French jets to the UAE makes no sense. Their enemy is Iran, and everyone knows it. Thus, the purchase of American jets with advanced knowhow already capable of taking out the Iranian fleet would make more sense.
The UAE already operates the Mirage 2000 and is the world’s only operator of the F-16E/F.
They would get a better deal buying Saab JAS-39 Gripens. They could probably buy 1/3 more jets for the same price.
The sale of French jets to the UAE makes no sense. Their enemy is Iran, and everyone knows it. Thus, the purchase of American jets with advanced knowhow already capable of taking out the Iranian fleet would make more sense.
ups. american MADE fighter aircraft ;-)
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