Dassault condemns Brazil competitors

BRASILIA, Brazil, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Adding to an already heated contest, France's Dassault has criticized Swedish and U.S. competitors for a lucrative jet fighter deal, saying they weren't playing fair.

The accusation illustrated the pressure Dassault was facing and a handful of other military companies vying for a share of the tightening global market.

Dassault's Brazilian subsidiary accused its Swedish and U.S. rivals of trying to tarnish its bid by claiming that the French company's Rafale jet was too expensive.

"Unfortunately, our competitors have started to make public declarations that do not correspond to reality in a bid to influence the decision," Dassault Executive Jean-Marc Merialdo told a news conference.

Earlier this month Dassault denied a newspaper report that it was slashing the price of its Rafale by 40 percent for the sake of securing the sale to the Brazilian army.

Since the tender was called, Rafale -- competing against Boeing's F18 and Saab's Gripen NG -- has been seen as the most likely choice of the Brazilians.

Brazilian officials have not said how much they intend to spend, although French officials have said that the deal could be worth as much as $7.3 billion.

From the start, Brazilian officials appeared locked in a deal with the French, with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Nicolas Sarkozy issuing a joint statement two months ago on negotiations to buy 36 of Dassault's Rafale jets.

The process has since then been held up "pending delivery of the Brazilian government of an Air Force technical assessment of the three contenders," Defense News reported Friday.

Dassault has suggested that the report could be ready by the end of the week.

France has pledged to transfer all technology related to the supersonic Rafale so that Brazil, bent on becoming the lead military power in South America, could assemble most of the Rafale jets itself and sell them regionally.

By some accounts, the contract for an initial 36 planes could rise to more than 120.

The multibillion-dollar deal would help offsetting the downturn at Dassault's Falcon business jet division.

"It also would help France recapture some of the glory -- and export revenue -- lost when the Rafale's predecessor, the Mirage, ceased production in 2007," The New York Times reported.

Lula has said his final decision would be based on "political and strategic" consideration, not just the price tag.

Brasilia has already signed a deal with France for the construction of five submarines in Brazil. The deal also includes the development of a nuclear-powered vessel.