Do we know in France decides to Qatar with the exception of the Emir? Not sure because it now seems eminently more complex ... It is also perhaps why France ahead blindly on the Rafale in Doha, which has still not responded to a letter sent by François Holland there are about twenty days.on the same subject
Armament: the seven "bug" of French exportsHe will finally ask the Rafale in Qatar?Thales: "The contract with Qatar is a success for French technology" (Mark Darmon)Missiles: MBDA is still in the race in QatarBurst: "Qatar has always been the choice for his army of French technology" (Francois Hollande)Newsletter Keep up with the news:Industry & ServicesSubscribe to € 1But ultimately wants Doha? That is the question running through the head of most of the leaders of the major groups of the French armament. For nearly two years after his accession to the throne, the young Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has concluded one way or the other no commercial campaigns that are very promising for France, including those where a protocol agreement has already been signed as for the (NH90 transport helicopters (Helicopters Airbus) and MRTT tanker aircraft (Airbus Defence).However, these campaigns are promising for over three years now as the World Cup, scheduled for winter 2022 is fast approaching. "We have two questions, summarized in" La Tribune "an industry boss, we do not clearly know the Qatar goals for arms purchases and we have not identified what are the levers to operate to advance a folder when it arrives at the Palace. " Because, clearly once a file is sent by the Ministry of Defence at the Palace of the Emir, he is lost in the corridors.The Palace, a black box?"The Palace is a real black box, we do not know what's going on," confirms several sources, which, however, are very familiar with the country. "In Qatar, it is extremely complicated, says an industry that trades for over 20 years with the Qataris. And if we look at what was done Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in weaponry, it has not a single major operation between 1995-2013, but instead he practiced a lot of financial diplomacy. Conclusion, Qatar done very little in defense acquisition with the exception of air defense field to protect gas facilities. "What is telling today in some major industrial and bodyguards of the former emir, and / or the latter itself still pulling the strings. However, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani would rely heavily on the Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces, General Ghanim bin Shaheen Al Ghanim would have his confidence.A letter from François Hollande Al ThaniSo, France train. But the course of the discussions is not broken. Far from it. On track for the sale of 24 Rafale (+ 12 option), Dassault Aviation and its partners (Safran and Thales) recently sent a binding proposal (Best and final offer) in Doha, which would have made wince. In the process, Hollande sent there twenty days a letter to the Emir Al Thani. No response to date, according to our information, while in November the Emir wished nevertheless conclude negotiations on the Rafale before the end of 2014.
Moreover, it would have been very unhappy that Egypt whispers the first Rafale contract, and would have informed his team of negotiators.The other priority issue for the sale of the three frigates ATBMs (BMD) of 4,000 tons, armed with Aster 30 missiles (MBDA and Thales) and sea-sea missiles Exocet (MBDA). A record about 2.5 billion (without arms) advancing quite well.And the United States?What applies to France, also applies to other countries. Including the United States, despite having convened the Qataris in Washington to force them to sign contracts. But to date, according to sources interviewed by La Tribune, nothing has been signed, including agreements worth $ 11 billion announced in July 2014 between Doha and Washington (Patriot missiles and Apache helicopters).At IDEX in Abu Dhabi in February, numerous senior Qatari officials left in the heart of the show to Washington to negotiate other agreements worth more than $ 20 billion. Including the acquisition of about 70 combat aircraft F-15 Boeing with a comprehensive support flap, including the provision of US drivers. "The F-15 could pass before the Rafale," we feared even in Paris.
