Subcontractors work on Dassault-Rafale pact
The French Aerospace Industries Association, GIFAS, is leading its 400-member companies to set up businesses in India, following up on the recent success of a multi-billion dollar fighter jet Rafale contract.
“We are in India to invest and strengthen our presence and make partnerships with Indian industries,” GIFAS Director of Communications, Christophe Robin, told fiinews.com at the Aero India 2019 in Bengaluru.
More than twenty-five French companies have established strong presence in India including Airbus, Thales, Safran and Dassault.
GIFAS has set up an office in New Delhi with GIFAS Indian Committee advising on developing Ipartnerships with Indian companies.
Following on the Dassault’s Rafale contract, which was first signed 2016, number of subcontractors and suppliers to the fighter jet are setting up presence in India.
“We are now working with subcontractors of Dassault contract such as suppliers of parts and electronics mechanism. There are number of contracts already signed and others are to be signed. These are linked to Rafale or independent of that deal,” Robin told fiinews.com on 21 Feb 2019 at one of Asia’s biggest aviation shows held 20-24 Feb 2019.
“We are also working with Ministry of Defence on the offset policy to be applied as the Government of India wants to do it,” he said.
The French companies have been working in India since 1953.
Thales, as an example, have worked with Bharat Electronics Ltd to create technology-based production centres, Robin added.
The French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler and Lieutenant-General Theirry Carlier, Director for International Development of the Defence Procurement Agency led the French businesses to India.
Underlining the growing French-Indian aviation relationships, he said GIFAS showcased 36-member companies at the Aero India 2019.
There companies: ABC, Aerocampus Aquitaine, Aerometals & Alloys, Air Liquide, ASB Group, Aubert & Duval, Axon’Cable, Cimulec, Daher, Dassault Aviation, Dassault Systemes, Draka Fileca, First Schwitchtech, Gaches Chimmie, Haxcel, Interface Concept, Lauak, LGM, Mach Aero, Novae Aerospace, NSE, Paris Saint-Denis Aero, Pinette Emidecau Industries (PIE), Precicast, Rafale International, Rafaut, Recaero, Roxel, Safran, Saft, Secan, Sonovision Aetos, Sopra Steria, Thales and Weare Group.
Additionally, independent stands were set up by Airbus, Liebherr Aerospace, MBDA, Nicomatic India Electronics, Staubli Faverges, Zodiac Data Systems.
French linked companies also displayed their expertise under the Indian flag. These were Alkan/Nucon Aerospace Pvt Ltd, Alten, Assystem, Bollore Logistics, Lisi Aerospace, Ankit, Radiall and Titeflex.
All put together, 49 French businesses were led by Eric Trappier, GIFAS Chairman and Chairman/CEO of Dassault Aviation.
“All sectors were represented – civil and military aerospace, defence and space,” said Robin.
French manufacturers and Indian companies, prime contractors as well as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises held meetings in Bengaluru throughout the Aero India 2019 week. fiinews.com
