"Mistral" hit a boomerang

35
2016 started the year for French arms exports with a positive sign, marked by 2015 records, when French exporters signed contracts worth 16 billion euros, which is almost twice the rate of the previous year. This would allow the French to claim second place in the global arms export ranking, however, the Russian figures announced later (26 billion dollars of new contracts in 2015) made these hopes unfounded.

Note that the French weapon record did not prevent story with the sale to Russia of two universal landing ships of the Mistral type - the scandal not only did not affect the manufacturer's reputation, but ultimately both ships were sold to Egypt with minimal financial losses for the French budget.



At the same time, French successes in the field of arms exports continued to multiply. The year began with a phenomenal victory in an Australian tender for the purchase of 12 non-nuclear submarines under the SEA 1000 program. The contract value is 30 billion euros, of which the share of French manufacturers will, according to various estimates, from 8 to 17 billion. Another major achievement was the signing of a contract with Kuwait on 30 helicopters Airbus Helicopters H225M (EC725) Caracal worth over a billion euros. Finally, in September, the long-awaited contract with India for the supply of Dassault Rafale 36 fighter jets was finalized. Given the transfer of weapons, the adaptation of the aircraft to Indian requirements, logistics services transaction costs 7,8 billion euros. That is, only three large contracts provided the French military industrial complex with a contracting of at least 15 billion euros, not counting smaller orders, which makes it possible to count on a new record. At the same time, the French planned to receive contracts from Egypt and Saudi Arabia for the supply of Earth remote sensing satellites, as well as from Poland to the 30 H225 (EC725) Caracal helicopters. Despite the usual difficulties for this kind of business, nothing foreshadowed serious difficulties.

Insidious Saudis

The first blow came from Saudi Arabia, which in February announced the suspension of all agreements and contracts as part of the country's earlier pledged $ 2014 billion in military aid to the Lebanese military and security forces. This agreement was reached at the end of 100, and the French expected to supply 3 new VAB Mk 100 armored personnel carriers, more than 24 Sherpa Light armored vehicles, 155 self-propelled wheeled 2-mm Nexter CAESAR howitzers, six self-propelled Mistral 314 air defense systems on light armored chassis VBL vehicles, six Embraer EMB-29 (A-225) Super Tucano combat trainers, seven Airbus Helicopters H342M Cougar transport helicopters, several light Airbus Helicopters SA 56 Gazelle (available with modernization) with ATGM NOT, three large missile boats of the project Combattante FS 100, anti-tank weapons, Airbus Defense & Space TETRA communication systems and a number of others. However, as a consolation prize, Riyadh, as reported, reissued an order for 3 VAB Mk XNUMX armored personnel carriers.

At the same time, negotiations on the supply of French weapons to Saudi Arabia proper stopped. Kingdom authorities announced that negotiations on weapons contracts will be renewed only after the presidential election in France, which should be held in April 2017. This decision, in particular, suspended the purchase of a large batch of Rafale fighters, despite the fact that the negotiations were in a very advanced stage.

The next shock was the September leak in the Australian media of technical information on being built for the Indian fleet non-nuclear submarines of the Scorpene type. The scandal itself did not yet have pronounced consequences, but this is a strong blow to the reputation, which also significantly reduces the chances of the French to consolidate naval equipment in the Indian market. And it is considered as important: the DCNS concern has proposed a four-unit modified project of the Mistral type at the Indian tender for the selection of UDC. In case of victory, the ship will be built in India with French assistance. Simultaneously with the UDC project, DCNS is promoting the new project of the light aircraft carrier DEAC (DCNS Evolved Air Craft) on the Indian market.

Greedy poles

"Mistral" hit a boomerangBut the apotheosis of the series of failures was the public refusal of the Polish government to purchase 50 helicopters H225М (EC725) Caracal helicopters in France totaling 10,8 billion zlotys (2,52 billion euros), as reported by 4 of October. Moreover, the motive was the inconsistency of the French proposal with the national interests of Poland, although according to the statements of Airbus Helicopters offset obligations in connection with this contract would lead to the creation of 3800 jobs in Poland, including 1280 directly related to the production of helicopters. Interestingly, literally the day before, on October 3, Airbus announced its readiness to make new concessions to the Poles.

All this happened very unexpectedly for everyone except the Poles. Literally until the last moment, it seemed that the purchase issue had been decided in favor of the French manufacturer; back in April of the 2015, the Polish Ministry of National Defense published information on the decision to choose the Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal (formerly EC725) in the tender for the multi-purpose helicopter program. This sample was offered in a tender by the Program EC-725 CARACAL-Polska consortium led by Airbus Helicopters, the competitors were the proposals of the PZL-Swidnik company (AgustaWestland AW149) and the Sikorsky International Operations Incorporation, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporations and the Polish PZL-Mlec 70i Black Hawk). The consortium Program EC-725 CARACAL-Polska proposed to organize the assembly of H225M helicopters at the Polish military aircraft repair plant WZL-1 in Lodz. This contract would make Poland one of the largest importers of French arms, since during the period from 2011 to 2015, the total volume of contracts for the supply of arms to Poland amounted to only 82,4 million euros.

However, over the past year and a half, the Polish side was not able to agree with the Airbus Helicopters on the terms of the contract, and the choice of HNUMXM was repeatedly attacked by members of the new Polish government formed by the Law and Justice Party, who saw it as a political or corruption component. In addition, the Poles demanded an offset in the amount of 225 percent of the contract value plus payment of VAT in 100 percent. That is, Airbus had to pay more than it received (the amount of offset plus VAT reached 23 billion euros against 3,13 billion euros), a case unprecedented in the practice of arms trading. All this led to the fact that since the end of 2,52, the negotiations on Caracal were extremely sluggish, although the French did not lose hope.

It is characteristic that for the victory in the Polish tender the French went to great lengths. So, back in the 2014 year at the hearings on the transfer of the UDC of the Mistral type to Russia after the introduction of sanctions, success in the Polish helicopter tender was named as one of the arguments, because Poland was very concerned about the prospects for our country to receive both ships. In order to turn the story into a real detective, the Minister of National Defense of Poland, Anthony Macierevich, was already on 10’s October visit to Sikorsky PZL-Mielec in Melz, owned by the American company Sikorsky Aircraft (which is now controlled by Lockheed Martin), with Prime Minister Beata Szydlo. ), and the WZL-1 aircraft repair plant in Lodz announced the decision to purchase for the Polish special forces at least 21 of the medium-sized multi-purpose helicopter Sikorsky S-70i International produced by PZL-Mielec Black Hawk directly, without tender procedures. The minister promised that negotiations with PZL-Mielec on the supply of these machines "will begin this week" (started on October 11) and the first two should be transferred to 2016, and the other eight - in 2017. Obviously, such a solution was prepared ahead of time and by the time of the rejection of Caracal was in an advanced stage.

Touchy french

Apparently, the significant advances issued by the French side to Poland in anticipation of the contract, as well as the form of refusal and the open disregard of the face of the French, caused an unprecedented reaction for the arms market. Thus, the president of the concern Airbus Group, Tom Anders, said that no one has ever behaved like that to the company and it will demand compensation for its losses caused by the break in exclusive negotiations. Among the accusations also called the controversial position of the Polish government. Earlier, the president of Airbus Helicopters, Guillaume Fori, addressed an open letter to Beata Szydlo, listing all the advantages Poland would have gained by actually disclosing all the details of the contract and the offset agreement accompanying it. However, as was shown above, the choice in favor of the American manufacturer was made.

The scandal moved from the industrial level to the highest political - Francois Hollande canceled his visit to Poland, scheduled for October 13. According to French observers, this situation led to the greatest cooling between Paris and Warsaw, although the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement on the strategic nature of bilateral relations. In the light of all these troubles, the contract from Thailand for the purchase of two Caracal helicopters, which was also announced on October 4, almost looked like a mockery.

This conflict seems to have far-reaching consequences. Most likely, France will significantly reduce its presence on the Polish arms market. In particular, it will be possible to forget about participating in a tender for the purchase of three submarines.

Poland has proven to be a tough negotiator who can compete with the Indians. However, the political aspects turned out to be stronger than the military-industrial ones, and even in the conditions of readiness of Airbus to make concessions, the orientation towards Washington outweighed. However, the Poles, apparently, did not expect such a reaction, and already October 12 tried to turn it back. Poland declared that its armed forces needed from 50 to 70 helicopters produced both in its territory and abroad. In light of this, Poland plans to announce a new tender, including in order to reassure Airbus.

The story of the helicopters struck the image of France as an exporter. Having gone to the loss during the implementation of the contract with Russia in anticipation of the Polish order, France, in a sense, was left with nothing. This can be a colorful illustration of the fact that exchanges and concessions are not always perceived properly and they do not guarantee the best result in the future. In addition, Polish history has shown that France is hardly holding a blow and the refusal of the Poles led to a clearly hysterical behavior of both the supplier and the leadership of the country. All this clearly can not be regarded as a manifestation of force.
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35 comments
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  1. +30
    22 October 2016 15: 10
    I hope that their frog weapons prestige will not only decline, but fall each year thereafter!
    1. +16
      22 October 2016 16: 35
      Of course, because now the descendants of Napoleon’s small arms will also be German .. Another victory of the Boches over the paddles ..
      1. 0
        26 October 2016 20: 04
        Yes, and with the tanks, it seems, the same story is planned ..
        1. +1
          27 October 2016 19: 06
          Mouse tears spilled out to the cat!
  2. +14
    22 October 2016 16: 27
    The arms market is also a well that you shouldn't spit into. And with such "sovereignty" France in general may find itself on the outskirts of not only the arms market.
    1. +8
      22 October 2016 20: 35
      Let them say thanks to Hollande: croaking at the prompting of Washington
  3. +15
    22 October 2016 16: 32
    "Mistral" hit a boomerang

    Straight balm for the soul. Let the frogs get nervous, not everyone is on horseback.
    1. +4
      24 October 2016 22: 17
      And rightly so! Deserved, there is nothing to throw counterparties. In short, how they phoned, and responded ....
  4. +28
    22 October 2016 16: 33
    The Poles and the others followed instructions from Washington to "kill the French." And rightly so: US military orders are more needed, and the plucked Gallic rooster should fall closer to the leg - such a turbulent time.
    1. +2
      22 October 2016 17: 12
      I wonder which of their hangers-ons will the States still want to dunk? Who's on the line. His is breeding his own.
      1. +7
        22 October 2016 20: 17
        A great power has only eternal interests. The USA is not the USSR. As soon as you become "yours" for the United States, you turn into a resource, a colony, devoid of independence on fundamental issues. They can be killed (politically or physically) or left without your money.
      2. +6
        2 December 2016 13: 35
        Isn’t it clear?
        Those US export items whose competitors' production is concentrated at individual "players" and not spread out all over the world are weapons and oil.
        Consequently, the Saudis and Germans will be "merged".
  5. +5
    22 October 2016 17: 08
    Let’s see how the MIG Design Bureau will compete in tenders with the French Rafals in the coming years ... but for Mikoyanovtsy this is a very acute issue.
  6. +6
    22 October 2016 17: 13
    In the whole story with contracts, it’s amazing how the Poles brazenly bent the French, for the non-traditional ..., moreover, twice, and they only understood from the second. Soyuznichki !!! good
  7. +14
    22 October 2016 17: 39
    The contract with India on rafaeli is valid ... Kuwait also bought 30 helicopters .... so what are the terrible losses? The Saudis did not completely refuse, but they are waiting for someone who will eventually come to power in France (I think they will agree with any power) Egypt received the Mistrals .... and we needed them like that (the Syrian express uses used Turkish tankers for which 15 + years) .And now call us an export contract for 30+ pieces of equipment at the level of Karakalov? .... We are waiting for confirmation from Egypt on the Ka-52 .... but I am generally silent about the level of the mistral.
    1. +2
      22 October 2016 20: 48
      Of course, the "Indian pie" is sweeter than the "Polish", but name me at least one huckster, so that I would be happy about not making a profit.
    2. +2
      28 November 2016 17: 52
      Quote: Xroft
      .... Egypt Mistral got .... and they were like we needed (Syrian express uses SECOND-HAND Turkish tankers which for 15+ years) ......

      And thank God that the Mistral did not reach our country. A ship with no survivability (made according to the technology of manufacturing civilian ships) with an over-the-air landing, under which we have equipment (unlike ours, which could put the gangway directly to the shore itself and unload anything, including tanks), etc., etc. There was a lot of materials on this subject, I will not repeat myself ..
  8. +7
    22 October 2016 17: 55
    even when Airbus was ready to make concessions, the orientation toward Washington outweighed.
    Psheks showed themselves in all their glory: they loyally licked the owner’s boot and quickly fell flat on the bed for pleasure ...
    Well, who else would doubt the political prostitution of the current leadership of the Rzhechipospolita!
    And everything is very simple: with the help of the States, they are trying to become leaders of Eastern Europe. At the same time, the leadership of the Republic of Poland firmly believes that the Anglo-Saxon vector is the most correct in modern conditions. Naive Poles! No wonder you do not like deutschers!
    1. +3
      22 October 2016 22: 40
      Quote: Boa constrictor KAA
      Well, who else would doubt the political prostitution of the current leadership of the Rzhechipospolita!


      Nobody. Here they recently started a lawsuit with the EU over Nord Stream 2, too, and not without an order from the "exclusive":
  9. +4
    22 October 2016 18: 42
    Quote: Boa constrictor KAA
    At the same time, the leadership of the Republic of Poland firmly believes that the Anglo-Saxon vector is the most correct in modern conditions. Naive Poles! No wonder you do not like deutschers!

    So they adhered to this vector also in 2MB - so there is nothing new in their politics, everything is expected. Their venality only competes with the ceuropeans - they have no more competitors in this! laughing
  10. 0
    22 October 2016 19: 50
    So they need it. Do not spit in the well and do not dig another hole.
  11. +4
    22 October 2016 23: 49
    Francois Hollande canceled his visit to Poland, scheduled for October 13.

    Putin canceled his visit to Paris, so the whole of Europe stood on its ears. Holland canceled his visit to Poland - all of France. It is understandable, Russia is a regional country, and France is a great European power. (GDP should send humanitarian aid to France - a pi-pifax wagon. It is kind and unforgettable)
  12. +2
    23 October 2016 04: 18
    Beat on the image. Heard. If, after such a strike, the amount of contracts doubles, then all these blows are complete crap.
  13. +3
    23 October 2016 07: 12
    Do not throw, and you will not throw .... get custody of the snout
  14. +1
    24 October 2016 15: 25
    Just rejoice, we still have nothing. Only Lockheed Martin exports for $ 30 billion, and this is only 1 US corporation makes more profit than the entire military-industrial complex of the Russian Federation ...
    1. +1
      25 October 2016 08: 44
      And Russia has never been a leader in the sale of arms. Therefore, I see no reason to sprinkle ashes on my head. And to rejoice ... but you can not rejoice. But there is a reason to say to the French with a nasty smile: "And you were warned ...". And the truth was warned. But they didn't listen to us. So it was the European choice of a "free" European country. They chose themselves - let them sort out the consequences themselves.
      1. +3
        25 October 2016 09: 26
        Russia was not, but the USSR was and we surrendered our market to the joy of the USA and Europe for no reason, now we have to conquer. But the French need to think with their own heads.
  15. 0
    28 October 2016 13: 58
    Even though the psheks are worthy of praise ...
  16. 0
    5 December 2016 20: 41
    Apparently ... the form of refusal and the open disregard for the face of the French provoked unprecedented for the arms market reaction. So, the president of the Airbus Group, Tom Anders, said that no one had ever behaved like that with the company and it would demand compensation for its losses incurred by breaking the exclusive negotiations.
    C'mon ... This ... Um ... this is something vaguely reminding me
  17. 0
    8 December 2016 04: 32
    "Your fat and you, the same on the musals" - revenge "Mistrals", the world of business and money does not tolerate betrayal.
  18. 0
    8 December 2016 17: 14
    ...Do not be sad! The main thing is to forget everything, so it was nice to step on the old rake ...
  19. 0
    18 December 2016 16: 31
    Titsen. I hope that their frog weapons prestige will not only decline, but fall each year thereafter!

    ... in one word, "the sea toad climbs out!"
    1. +1
      29 December 2016 17: 52
      In truth, do not dig a hole for another, you will find yourself in it ...... International truth does not age, does not age ...
  20. 0
    30 December 2016 13: 36
    "Note that the French arms record was not prevented by the story with the sale of two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships to Russia - the scandal not only did not affect the manufacturer's reputation, but ultimately both ships were sold to Egypt with minimal financial losses for the French budget."
    The agreement between the Russian Federation and the French shipbuilding company provided for the sale of the UDC to third countries only with the consent of the original customer, which the Russian Federation did, without its consent, the sale of the UDC of the Mistral type to Egypt was impossible, in addition, due to the fact that during the construction of the UDC the moment that all weapons, some equipment and aircraft systems will be Russian, then we can say that these ships were built according to special projects.
    http://discussio.ru/military/rossiya-razreshila-f
    rancii-prodat-mistrali-egiptu-i-oae
    http://www.mk.ru/politics/2015/08/31/rossiya-razr
    eshila-francii-prodat-mistrali-egiptu-i-oae.html
    In addition, I would like to note that at the time of signing the contract for the construction of the UDC between the Russian Federation and the French shipbuilding company, the shipbuilding company was in a bankrupt state and the specified contract financially revived it
    https://www.1tv.ru/news/2014/09/08/32700-vo_frant
    sii_mitinguyut_rabotniki_sudoverfi_na_kotoroy_str
    oyatsya_mistrali_dlya_rossii
    http://sudostroenie.info/novosti/17993.html
  21. +1
    27 February 2017 10: 23
    On October 20, 2011, at about 15:45, in the vicinity of the village of Vileyty, Postavsky district, about one kilometer from the Belarusian-Lithuanian border, the helicopter of the State Border Committee of Belarus “Eurocopter” (produced in France) crashed on board of which were two crew members and three people from the SRW film crew “ The Union. ”“ It was established that the helicopter underwent full scheduled and pre-flight maintenance, the pilots had high professional training, the meteorological conditions were favorable, ”the Investigative Committee explained, adding that it was not possible to find out the exact cause of the crash.
    When French specialists arrived at the site and learned that no special hangars were built for the Eurocopter French helicopters purchased by Belarus, they said that they would not be held responsible for the technical condition of all purchased (several pieces) and the crashed helicopter (although the helicopters were new and used) were on the strength of 1-2 years).
    This is all about the fact that the French technique is gentle, like their favorite frog legs. Eyewitnesses say that our combat helicopters do not need special air conditioners, when operating in a desert area, they dared off with broom sand from the blades and the hull and go. With French delicate technology this will not work, a sad example is higher, and potential buyers may therefore refuse. In combat conditions, not always can be hangars with climate control.

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