O Globo Interview: Admiral Guillaud on the Offensive
French President Sarkozy’s Chief Military Adviser has engaged in a rare but strong defense of the Dassault Rafale in an interview with Brazilian magazine O Globo. The key elements of this interview are:
- Saab and Boeing have consistently been engaging in a negative campaign about Rafale
- The contents of the French proposal reported in the media are incorrect and distorted
- France is not engaged in selling an off-the-shelf product but rather a solution or system of systems
- Unlike the US proposal, France is totally committed to full technology transfers
- One of the principal objectives of the French Minister of Defense Herve Morin is to further discuss the issue of price reduction with Nelson Jobim. France has guaranteed Brazil that the FAB would pay the same prices paid by the French Air Force
- Rafale’s higher price tag is the price of independence according to Admiral Guillaud
_ He also reiterates the perception in France that this is not a trade deal but a strategic partnership with an emerging regional power
- Rafale is the best option for the FAB based on capabilities and range. Gripen NG is referred to as a project that does not exist, only on paper, and F-18E is described as being no more than a flying club aircraft without weapons at the end of its life cycle
- Admiral Guillaud raises strong reservation regarding the US policy vis-a-vis weapons control, technology and source-code access
- The first six Rafales will be assembled in France with the remaining 30 will be locally produced in Brazil and confirms the exclusivity for sales in Latin America.
There you go, a Saab or Boeing rebuttal(s) anyone please?
FX-2: O que dizem os franceses
G2 Solutions @ November 6, 2009