Aviation

UAE cancels Rafale Deal with france : US Pushes Boeing F-15EX To Indian Air Force

Price Quoted by Dassault for the Rafale marine Fighter Jet in India

In an attempt to promote the F-15EX fighter jet, the Pentagon is working hard to increase competition for India’s large Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal.

The US is making a major effort to reverse the more than 70-year trend of American fighter jets failing to find a home in the Indian market.

The F-21 is perceived as a slight improvement over the F-16V, and Pentagon officials are aware that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been hesitant to adopt it.

This hesitation was made clearer when the US lost the contract to supply the Indian Navy with fighter jets mounted on carriers to the French Rafale M. A vital opportunity for the US to get into the IAF’s fighter jet lineup is now presented by the MRFA tender.

Despite the challenges, the Pentagon believes the F-15EX has strong potential. The IAF has shown some interest in the F-15EX due to its proven track record and advanced capabilities. However, the competition is stiff, and the IAF’s selection process is rigorous.

on otherside, United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unexpectedly canceled its US$20 billion agreement with France for the purchase of 80 Rafale fighter jets, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the global defense industry.

The cancellation follows the brief detention of Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, by French authorities—an incident that has strained diplomatic relations between the UAE and France, despite Durov’s subsequent release on bail.

France had viewed the Rafale deal as a cornerstone for boosting its defense industry, with significant implications for both economic growth and international standing.

The freezing of this contract represents a major setback for French President Emmanuel Macron, who had championed the deal as a symbol of France’s strategic partnership with the UAE.

The decision also delivers a blow to Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale jets, which now faces uncertainty regarding future orders.

The UAE’s cancellation of the deal is seen as a clear message that geopolitical tensions can rapidly influence major business agreements.

Analysts are closely monitoring the situation for any further developments, particularly as this decision may affect other nations considering similar deals with France.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.