Provided that the procedure to go in his term

Coup de Theatre in India. At the end of a campaign of very extensive technical tests, the Indian Ministry of defence retained the French Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter of the germano-britannico-Italian consortium EADS-BAE Systems-Finmeccanica in the final of the invitation to tender for the acquisition of 126 combat aircraft. Exit the Swedish Saab Gripen and the Russian Mig-35. But above all, to exit the two apparatus Americans in the running, Lock-heed Martin F-16 and the F-18 of Boeing, left, New Delhi, to inflict a serious affront to Washington.

Information, which had been the subject of leaks on specialized websites ("Les Echos" from Wednesday), was confirmed Thursday by industry. Saab was the first acknowledged its defeat, followed by the United States via their Ambassador on the spot. The Russians have not responded. On the "winners", however, expected again this evening an official confirmation of the client to respond.

In areas of defence, it was several weeks that the Rafale and the Eurofighter were given winners. But in a country where everything is time consuming, leaded by corruption scandals, there were not many people to bet that the authorities would be able to make a selection. Many observers correctly recall that it took years to launch the competition. Even in Europe, Louis Gallois, the Executive Chairman of EADS, and Charles Edelstenne, his alter ego of Dassault, have expressed publicly their skepticism on a quick decision.

By its importance - it evokes the figure of 10 billion dollars-, the Indian tender is the most important of the time for combat aircraft. He spends a little more the importance that are emerging while Westerners cut in defense budgets. For New Delhi, it is to ensure in the long term the predominance of its air force, consisting mainly of old Mig 21 and 50 Mirage 2000, against Pakistan which is full of modern F-16. The growing militarization of Chinese neighbour also plays.

Used for the finals (all previously lost), the Rafale has for him of undeniable opportunities. In Libya, the aircraft demonstrated currently the extent of its capabilities by combining air defence missions, intelligence or strike the ground. He also demonstrated his potential in Afghanistan. "Weapon system was developed in a consistent manner", says an expert. If more negotiations with the United Arab Emirates are successful, the apparatus mid-life modernization will be facilitated.

In Eurofighter as it does not hide his satisfaction. And for good reason: it is the first time that the aircraft is in the final of a tender. From its French competitor, he displays lower performance in terms of weapons. It therefore cannot rely on the same array of hunting since he was hired as a Libya, and again, not for offensive missions. The financing of its developments (especially in radar) is still problem, London, Berlin and Rome reluctance to hand in the Pocket. But the fact that it has failed to qualify shows he has made undeniable progress since its elimination in Korea, Singapore, or the Brazil.

It is therefore an undeniable victory for the European industry. Provided that the procedure to go in his term. It still differentiate between the two competitors on price and industrial offsets. A signature of contract will therefore require a year at least. Most importantly, the possibility that one of the losers filed an appeal and brings everyone back to square one is already in all heads.