The "schedule" for the order of 30 Rafale fighters, initially scheduled for 2023, could be adjusted to help the manufacturer Dassault to cope with the crisis in the aeronautics sector, said the Minister of the Armed Forces on Sunday, specifying that discussions were ongoing between the aeronautic giant and the government.
"We are going to see how we can best adapt the timing of these orders so that Dassault Aviation's production lines are preserved", noted Florence Parly in the program "Le Grand Rendez-vous" on radio Europe 1, the CNews channel and the daily Les Echos.
Help Dassault and its subcontractors
For the time being, "these chains are running for export," she noted, suggesting that the manufacturer had something to support its activity. Egypt, India and Qatar have ordered Rafale.
"In conjunction with the Dassault company, we are studying the best time to launch these orders, to ensure not only the continuity of the activities of the Dassault company but also of all these subcontractors who are behind", continued the minister. In January 2019, Florence Parly indicated that the 30 Rafale would be ordered in 2023. They will be added to the 28 Rafale which must be delivered to the French Armies between 2022 and 2024.
A French order to stay the course
Dassault Aviation has been hit hard by the impact of the crisis in the aeronautics sector caused by the Covid-19 epidemic, in particular on its business aviation activity. In the first half of the year, the aircraft manufacturer delivered seven Rafale to India and Qatar and 16 Falcon business jets.
Regarding the Rafale and the defense sector, the group fears that for export, states will be less inclined to order equipment in times of economic crisis. Dassault therefore also relies heavily on Rafale orders from France to support its activity and that of its suppliers, which has been strongly affected by the crisis in the aeronautics sector.
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