French defence minister Herve Morin met his Indian counterpart A.K. Antony in the Capital on Sunday to push for his country’s military equipment suppliers. The discussions included upgrade of the Mirage 2000 fighter planes, the Scorpene submarine deal, the Dassault’s Rafale 126 medium, multi-role combat aircraft and artillery guns for the army. Though the government has taken a policy decision to go to the French original equipment manufacturers Dassault/ Thales for the upgrade of the 60-odd aircraft, a major sticking point is the price being demanded for refurbishment. Rumoured to be Rs 150 crore per aircraft, availing of a cheaper option was being suggested.

While Israel has reportedly offered to do the job at half the price, the government has ignored the claims of the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for being competent to do the job in-house. The deal for six Scorpene submarines had kicked up a row over shadowy agents and commissions. Now, it is stuck in a blame-game between the Mazagaon Dock Ltd, the Indian manufacturer, and the French. The former says the French delayed supplies of sub-systems and technology transfers, while the latter says the Indian public sector shipyard is not able to assimilate the technology in good time. Dassault’s entry could have met an early rejection a few months ago after the French manufacturers refused to part with some information the Indians sought. However, an urgent trip by the French ambassador helped save the deal.