A HIGH-LEVEL delegation from French engine-manufacturer Snecma has held discussions with the Indian Government in an attempt to win a lucrative order to meet the air force's New Jet Trainer (NJT) requirement.
The Indian air force is considering purchasing either the Snecma-powered Dassault Alpha Jet or the Rolls-Royce/Turbom‚ca-powered British Aerospace Hawk to replace Hawker Hunters and Hindustan Aeronautics Kiran trainers.
The delegation, led by Snecma vice-president Philippe Humbert, is understood to have offered licence manufacturer of Larzac engines. Dassault has already offered licence production of the airframe as part of its long-running battle with BAe for the contract. The Indians are also understood to have been offered the Dassault Rafale multi-role fighter to meet its combat-aircraft requirements.
Source: Flight International
