NOT HERE: Dassault chief Eric Trappier (left), Anil Ambani and French defence minister Florence Parly at the foundation ceremony of Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd in Nagpur in 2017. The government’s entire defence on shutting out the state-run HAL, and Dassault picking Reliance Defence and Aerospace as a partner hinges on the contention that none of the 36 planes will be made in India. Dassault has big plans for Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (Dral), the joint venture with Anil Ambani’s Reliance, which escalates the significance of former French President Francois Hollande’s revelation. The statement can mean only one thing: Dassault is angling for more Rafale orders from India. While Jaitley and Reliance may be sticking to facts on the 36 planes, Trappier’s statements make it clear that Dassault is looking far beyond the 36 fighters.

Source: The Telegraph September 25, 2018 22:07 UTC