Dassault Well Positioned To Supply Additional 90 Fighters To India: Eric Trappier

We will be well positioned to provide additional 90 aircraft, if New Delhi confirms its need for 126 combat aircraft, Dassault CEO Eric Trappier said.

In an interview with French news daily, Challenges, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier said Monday that, “Significant progress in the Rafale deal with India has been made and I sense a real determination to succeed, possibly in the coming weeks.”

When asked whether US competitors doing the rounds to New Delhi and proposals of assembly lines for F-16s and F-18 in India are a threat to Dassault, Trappier said, “ After the 36 fighter aircraft, all candidates including Russians, the British, Swedes and, of course, Americans are all lobbying against us. All candidates have promised assembly sites to win the following 90. Offering a factory set-up of F-16s to India even while selling the same aircraft to Pakistan, the US does not seem serious. The US has already won contracts with the Air Force for transport aircraft in particular. We will be well positioned to provide additional 90 aircraft, if New Delhi confirms its need for 126 combat aircraft.”