Dassault Aviation Contradicts Hollande’s Claim on Rafale Deal

The ex-French President said that his govt wasn’t given a choice in selecting a local partner for Dassault Aviation.

Former French President Francois Hollande (Left) and statement issued by Dassault Aviation (Right).

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Altered by The Quint)

Hours after former French President Francois Hollande said that his government was not given a choice in selecting a local partner for Dassault Aviation, the French aeronautics company has countered the claim saying it was their “choice” to work with Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group.

Dassault Aviation is responsible for manufacturing Rafale jets for India.

In a press release, the company said, “In accordance with the policy of Make in India, Dassault Aviation has decided to make a partnership with India’s Reliance Group.”

Statement issued by Dassault Aviation.(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

In its statement, the French aviation company also mentioned that their position had earlier been clarified by the company CEO Eric Trappier, in an interview to Mint.

In an article published on 16 April 2018, Trappier had said, “We have a partnership with Reliance, part of the offset obligations of the Rafale deal. It was our choice, we continue with our choice.”

French Companies Have Freedom to Choose Their Indian Partners: French Government

In a separate statement, the French government said that the agreement between Indian and French governments was “solely with regard to ensuring the delivery and quality of this equipment” and “the government is in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners.”

The statement further emphasised on the fact that French companies have full freedom of choosing the Indian partners that they consider most relevant.

“In accordance with India’s acquisition procedure, French companies have the full freedom to choose the Indian partner companies that they consider to be the most relevant, then present for the Indian government’s approval the offsets projects that they wish to execute in India with these local partners so as to fulfil their obligations in this regard.”

Statement by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Ministry of Defence Clarifies

As the statement made by the former French President sparked a debate in the country with the opposition leaders blaming PM Modi for “betraying India”, the Defence Ministry tweeted that neither Indian nor French government had any role to play in the commercial decision.

Hollande had told the French publication, Mediapart, that it was the Narendra Modi-led government that had pitched the name of Reliance for the deal.

“The Indian government proposed this service group (Reliance), and Dassault negotiated with Ambani. We did not have a choice. We took the interlocutor who was given to us.”

Former French President Francois Hollande

Hollande’s statement comes at a time when the ruling government is under severe criticism by critics and the Opposition over Reliance not having adequate experience to be chosen as the local partner.