Kick in the teeth? India’s choice disappoints UK

British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday that he will do “everything I can” to persuade India to change its decision to select the French Rafale over the Eurofighter Typhoon for exclusive talks on the multi-billion dollar fighter aircraft deal. Rafale wins IAF's $10.4 billion deal

British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday that he will do “everything I can” to persuade India to change its decision to select the French Rafale over the Eurofighter Typhoon for exclusive talks on the multi-billion dollar fighter aircraft deal.

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The move to shelve the bid by Eurofighter Typhoon, a joint British, Italian and pan-European project, has been received badly in Britain, where the Rafale was seen as trailing in the race for the $12 billion order.

The media described India’s move as a blow to Cameron, who lobbied for the Eurofighter during his visit to New Delhi in 2010. It also prompted demands to cut Britain’s £280 million-a-year aid to India, but Cameron told parliament that there would be no job losses. Asked about the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions, Cameron told parliament the Typhoon was a “superb aircraft, far better than Rafale.”

“The decision is obviously disappointing but it is about who the Indians have assessed as making the lowest bid,” he said.