By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Bangalore: Dassault Aviation is likely to ink separate deals worth $100 m, through possible sale of its long-range business jets Falcon at the show. In an interview to Express, Thierry de Poncins, International Sales Director, Falcon Business Jets, confirmed that talks with various Indian companies have reached 'fruitful stage.' Swearing by the confidential business clause with Falcon customers, Thierry, however refused to give out the names of the companies, including one from Bangalore.
At Aero India, Team Dassault flew in three jets (Falcon 2000-S, Falcon 900 LX and latest Falcon 7X) for customer demonstration. Thierry said that the recent MMRCA deal with India for delivering Rafale fighters, will help Dassault to make inroads in India. “The Rafale deal will help show the confidence Dassault has in India and our relationship will further strengthen for the next 50 years,” he said. In India, Dassault has so far sold 20 Falcons with the first being to the Tatas in 1995. Companies like Religare Aviation, Taj, GMR, GVK, Reliance, Ashok Leyland and Bajaj are some of Falcon's elite customers.
Thierry says Indian business tycoons are very cost-conscious and technology-savvy, making Falcons their popular choice. “We are sure that the Indian market has great potential for these jets and in the next five years we will have another 20 Falcons flying here. Our jets are priced between $27m-$52m and we can deliver a pre-owned (used) Falcon jet without any delays, and a new one within a year,” says Thierry.
He said Dassault is all set to invest more in India and also looking at opening new offices. “We are expanding in India and have plans to set our base in Bangalore as well. The Falcons are made in the same facility (Bordeaux) as that of Rafales. We have over 2000 Falcons flying all over the world,” he said.
When asked about the competition with other business jets, including Bombardier, Gulf Stream and Embraer, Thierry said: “Our business is growing and we have also left enough room for competition.”
Copyright@The New Indian Express
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