Defexpo can't keep MMRCA away!

Eurofighter Booth

A model of rafale on display

It is clearly impossible to keep the monumental medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition away from even a land and maritime warfare expo like Defexpo, but that goes with the business. With attention still focused on India's single largest contract in history, and the competition still apparently some way from the finish line, the MMRCA effortlessly remains on centre stage.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony announced at Defexpo that while the Dassault Rafale had been selected as L1, there were still "at least seven-eight levels of scrutiny and process" before a contract is concluded. He also announced that the process would not move to the next stage until an inquiry was complete into issues raised by a sitting Member of Parliament.

Dassault Aviation, which traditionally stays away from the land forces expo, is still visible at several stalls at Defexpo, notable Thales, Safran and MBDA, all partners on the Rafale programme, and specifically the Rafale package for India. The company has expressed confidence separately that it looks forward to winning the Indian deal.

Eurofighter GmbH, which lost out narrowly to Dassault is, on the other hand, at Defexpo in full force! The company even has a separate stall dedicated to the multi-role fighter. Several top officials from the company are also here, an indication of the importance that EADS attaches to the deal, and perhaps also a recognition that nothing is over, till it's over. The Eurofighter consortium, deemed L2 in the final selection process, has signalled that it is willing to hone it deal and make it more competitive if called upon to do so.

All the same, Defexpo provides MMRCA firms the opportunity to meet offset facilitation companies in the country and tie up contracts in one of the most complex areas of the entire deal. Indications are that hectic discussions are underway with an array of small and medium firms which will contribute to the MMRCA licence build programme spearheaded by HAL in Bangalore.