Aircraft

French manufacturer says Singapore decision will not derail production plans

Dassault Aviation’s burgeoning business jet operation is compensating for delays and disappointments in its defence activities, says chairman and chief executive Charles Edelstenne.

Speaking after the French company’s half-year results last week, Edelstenne said losing to Boeing’s F-15 in Singapore’s fighter contest was a “big blow”, adding: “We thought we could win.”

Although the weak dollar hampered the Rafale’s chances, he suggested US government influence played a key part in the decision. “The political aspect was not neutral. While we have no proof of what the Americans did, I look at the result and see they have chosen an aircraft one generation behind the Rafale.”

Edelstenne said increasing production of Falcon business jets at its Marignac plant near Bordeaux would offset any hoped-for rise in Rafale output: the company has shipped 19 of 294 fighters due to be delivered to the French armed forces – the Rafale’s only customer – over the next 15-20 years.

Edelstenne said Dassault has no plans to reduce its workforce. “On our level of business, we have no problem with workload.” He is “confident” Swedish government delays in funding Saab Aerospace’s involvement in the Dassault-led European Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle study will be resolved by the end of the year.

Dassault has also set up a team to “examine the economics” of developing a new Falcon to fill a gap at the bottom of its range.

“The problem is not building an airframe: we know how to make a cheaper airframe after our 7X experience. We want to make it an attractive price,” he said.

Dassault posted a first-half consolidated net profit of €103 million ($125 million) on €1.13 billion sales.

MURDO MORRISON/LONDON