But disagreements over cost and work-sharing have slowed talks, while India's weak economy has stretched government finances.
On Monday, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met his newly appointed Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar.
"Both sides agreed to take forward the strategic co-operation between the two countries,” an Indian defence ministry spokesman told Reuters. “They discussed all issues including Rafale. It was decided that whatever differences still existed would be resolved in a fast-track manner."
"For a project of this scale and such complexity... the pace is comparable to that of other negotiations," Le Drian said in an interview with Indian daily The Pioneer Tuesday.
"Both our governments share the will to conclude it (Rafale deal) and this is, of course, essential."
French company Dassault Aviation won the right in 2012 to enter exclusive negotiations with India to supply 126 fighters after lodging a lower bid than rival firm Eurofighter.
The deal would see Dassault supply 18 Rafales – twin-engine multi-role fighters – by 2015.
India, the world's top weapons importer, is in the midst of a $100-billion defence upgrade programme and experts say it urgently needs the jet fighters to maintain a combat edge over nuclear rival Pakistan.
The remaining 108 would be made by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd under technology transfer agreements with India, which is keen to boost home-made defence manufacturing.
Sumber : France
No comments:
Post a Comment