Term this could lead to a set of 120 units

The "exclusive" Word is not written, and Lula does not delivered it not more, but the press release issued yesterday afternoon by Paris and Brasilia was enough to the happiness of Dassault Aviation and its partners: after several face to face with Nicolas Sarkozy, host of national honour, Brazilian President granted a benefit determining for the Rafalein the invitation to tender between the French aircraft to the F-18 of Boeing and the Saab Gripen, for the acquisition of 36 combat aircraft. "In view of the transfer of technology and the guarantees offered by the French party, President Lula announced the decision of the Brazil to enter into negotiations with the Rafale Gie (in addition to the aircraft manufacturer, Thales and Snecma, Editor's note) for the acquisition of 36 Rafale", indicates the text of the joint communiqué.

Diplomatic and commercial French camp efforts have finally borne their fruit. Remains now to conclude the contract, valued at EUR 4.4 billion (including weapons, read below), which is expected next year. The initial command relates to the acquisition of 36 aircraft, whose delivery is scheduled over six years from 2013. Term, this could lead to a set of 120 units.

The choice of words

In Exchange, the France offers a partnership to help the Brazil to "develop a large aerospace industry", déclaréNicolas Sarkozy. And for even better defend his chances, Paris announced the acquisition of a dozen copies of the future KC-390 military transport plane in the cartons in Embraer (read below). Several French aeronautics industry will also help its development.

If the choice of the French plane was little doubt after the public statements of Lula ("Les Echos" of yesterday), the timing of the announcement, he was acquired when Nicolas Sarkozy flew Sunday in the after - noon for Brasilia. Coming to the Joint Declaration, it took both sides spend a part of the night of Sunday to Monday to resolve all ambiguities relating to the transfer of technology. "Exceptional comparative advantage", had already stated the Brazilian President, suggesting as well as the proposals of the two competitors were not the height. Then remained to agree on the text of the announcement, which requested still much discussion on the choice of words and the price.

Years of effort

Dassault, negotiations very advanced for the sale of 60 Rafale to United Arab Emirates (contract should logically be signed this year), thus years of international efforts rewarded. Forgotten the real false failures of South Korean, Singaporean or Moroccan campaigns. "The France had a sales force and technical capacity problem", said an official source close to the negotiations. It clearly took over the business. "And even if the contract is not signed, the good news came from Brasilia, should further strengthen the credibility of the French aircraft for the campaigns in Switzerland, India, or even in Greece. "It is a sacred advantage." "And this will certainly have an effect on other export campaigns, where we encounter the same competitors", confirms to the "Echos" Charles Edelstenne, the CEO of the manufacturer. For Boeing, but especially for Saab, on the other hand, it is very bad news, because the chances to remake will be rare.

But to get this far, the France has no homework on technology transfer and industrial offsets. Lula indeed, this project called "FX 2" (after the failure of a first call for tenders in the early 2000s), to allow his country - who wants an army in the image of the role of regional power - to develop a new generation device (possibly a new version of the Rafale with the France) by the end of the next decade.

Back in Paris, the Brazilian harvest of Sarkozy is therefore rather rich contracts: more than 10 billion within a year, adding up the transport helicopters, submarines, and normally the Rafale.