UAE criticizes 'unworkable' French fighter bid

Associated Press ^ | 11/16/2011 | ADAM SCHRECK

[sukhoi-30mki]

UAE criticizes 'unworkable' French fighter bid

By ADAM SCHRECK, AP Business Writer – 5 minutes ago

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — France's Dassault Aviation is seeking unacceptable terms for the sale of up to 60 Rafale fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates, a senior Emirati military official said Wednesday, casting serious doubt on the future of the highly anticipated arms deal.

The comments from the deputy supreme commander of the UAE's armed forces, Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, come just days after a different European defense consortium unexpectedly said it had been asked by the Emirati air force to assemble a rival fighter bid.

Dassault has been in talks with the UAE for several years in an effort to sell the Rafale, which is currently used only by France. Dassault has marketed the twin-engine plane to several countries but has yet to find an overseas buyer.

Sheik Mohammed is also the highly influential crown prince of the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi, and his criticism Wednesday could signal a final blow to Dassault's UAE bid.

He noted French President Nicolas Sarkozy's active role in trying to advance the sale, saying Paris did all it could diplomatically to try to close the deal.

"Bilateral relations have never been stronger and his constant personal intervention in this process has sustained Dassault at the forefront of our considerations," Sheik Mohammed said in a statement carried by the official

[sukhoi-30mki]

[ravager]

Seems like Frenchies are out.

[sukhoi-30mki]

While everyone seems to be dissing the Frogs on this, I wonder what the UAE were thinking when expecting prices for what is already a very expensive aircraft made by a rather small company (by US standards) with limited primary customer support.

[Yo-Yo]

Shades of Morocco.