French industry aims for Rafale sale in Greece

Rafale International, a French group comprising three main contractors, officially opened an office in Athens on March 4 as part of efforts to sell the Rafale combat aircraft to Greece's air force, Dassault Aviation said in a statement.

Dassault Rafale

Dassault, Thales and the Safran Group's Snecma formed Rafale International to market the fighter jet. Negotiations with Libya, as a prospective first export customer, are underway.

"The purpose of Rafale International in Athens is to promote the Rafale Omnirole fighter as the natural continuity of the French supply source to answer the needs of the Hellenic Air Force and to enhance the long-standing cooperation the three partners already have with Greek industry," the statement said.

The Rafale team offered local companies such as Hellenic Aerospace Industry and small and medium-sized companies an industrial package "based on high-value technology exchanges and equal partnership for development and co-production of one of the most modern fighters in the world, thus leading to the creation of a substantial number of jobs," the statement said.

Dassault International's managing director, Eric Trappier, inaugurated the Athens office at a ceremony attended by the French ambassador at the French Embassy.

Greece bought 40 Mirage F1s in 1974, a further 40 Mirage 2000s in 1985, and took delivery of the last of 15 Mirage 2000-5s last November.

Dassault is the Rafale's prime contactor, Thales supplies the onboard electronic systems and Snecma the twin M88 engines.

Source: P. Tran - Defense News

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