Rafale out of contest,diplomatic push by France

Days after Dassaults Rafale fighter was knocked off the $10-billion contract for providing combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force....

Days after Dassaults Rafale fighter was knocked off the $10-billion contract for providing combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force,French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont met senior Defence Ministry officials to enquire about the status of the deal.

It is learnt that the Ambassador met Defence Secretary Vijay Singh on Tuesday and talked about the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal among other things. Sources said Bonnafont inquired about media reports that talked about the oust of the French fighter from the mega deal.

The Ambassador is believed to have been informed that the selection process for the contract was still on and it would take a few weeks before proceeding to the next stage.

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However,sources in the ministry maintain that the French fighter would not make it to the next stage as it has not met the technical requirements set in the tender that was floated in 2007.

The tedious process for purchasing the 126 fighters to boost dipping force levels of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will now proceed to the next stage of flight trials where the aircraft will be tested in difficult weather conditions. Trials are expected to take place in Bangalore,Jaisalmer and Leh.

The summer trials are set to start within three months and the remaining five contenders will be sent letters to bring in their aircraft for evaluation shortly.

The IAF is keen to conclude the contract as fast as possible given that its fighter levels had come down to an all time low of 32 squadrons against an official level of 39.5 and a desired level of 42 squadrons. The most optimistic predictions too suggest the final signing of the contract not before 2011,which would mean that the first fighters would land in India by 2013.