Rafale fighter jet deal with India 'on the right track', says French President Hollande

E-Paper | May 07, 2026

NEW DELHI: France's President Francois Hollande said that the conclusion of a deal for New Delhi to buy 36 French fighter jets is "on the right track" ahead of his arrival in India Sunday for a three-day visit.

"Agreeing on the technicalities of this arrangement obviously takes time, but we are on the right track," Hollande said in an interview with the Press Trust of India news agency.

The invitation for Hollande to be the chief guest at Tuesday's Republic Day celebrations had raised hopes that the long drawn-out deal to buy the three dozen Rafale jets would finally be nailed down.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in Paris last year that New Delhi had agreed to buy the jets as India looks to modernise its Soviet-era military, in part to keep up with neighbouring rivals Pakistan and China.

In his interview, Hollande said that "the Rafale is a major project for India and France" that would "pave the way for an unprecedented industrial and technological cooperation" for the next four decades.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

World

Indian Air Force faces risk as Pakistan, China modernise: report

Modi pushes 'obsolete' made-in-India plane on reluctant military

India turns to Israel for armed drones

Sky Wars: Pakistan, India and China

Analysis: Quest for F-16 jets takes PAF to Mideast

Pakistan's tool of war: PAF's rolling thunder

m sing

Jan 24, 2016 02:48pm

I want roti(bread)....

Recommend 0

Desi Bhai

Jan 24, 2016 02:49pm

When will this arm race stop???

Recommend 0

@Difusal

Jan 24, 2016 02:57pm

@m sing You should Earn it

Recommend 0

sam

Jan 24, 2016 03:05pm

on right track means wait for another 10 years..

Recommend 0

Bajirao

Jan 24, 2016 03:10pm

This is historic visit of French President to India's republic day. India and France are going to sign on various other deals as well. Rafale fighter jet is one of them. And interestingly French army is also going to march with Indian army. What a out of box diplomacy. Hats off to Modi-ji.

Recommend 0

Hitesh

Jan 24, 2016 03:12pm

60000 Crores is a very huge amount..but India has to modernise its air-force considering the China factor

Recommend 0

vivek

Jan 24, 2016 03:15pm

@atheist I don't know from where do I get ur facts , fact is there is no sector on which India spend 42% nt even half of that n I assume u r pointing out on our defence budget so for the fact India Jst spend 2.3% on defence which is far less than Pakistan percentage wise allocation of fund for defense. n 2nd thing India is the only country which has a huge burden of subsidiary though I agree this amount never reached the needy but now due to PM direct transfer plan this thing has also fixed , so probably in 5-7 years u vll see the new India n result of present gov policy

Recommend 0

Harmony-1©

Jan 24, 2016 03:15pm

@Difusal - Everyone "earns it" but some lives are less worthy of being lived than others. Consider disabled, child labourers, or a woman bringing up large family on her own, there are many other scenarios. Getting callous to the plight of such people is not an answer.

Recommend 0

Multinational Bhabi

Jan 24, 2016 03:23pm

India and Pakistan should be able to develop world class fight jets/bomber in their own countries. 69 years is a long enough time

Recommend 0

Srini

Jan 24, 2016 03:39pm

@m sing For Roti you have to work, nobody will send you for your comment

Recommend 0

Devinder Singh

Jan 24, 2016 03:59pm

@m sing did any one stop you.we live in democracy and I earned and I educate my self and I earn respect.noone stop me.secind when industry grow then job creation grow.

Recommend 0

citizen

Jan 24, 2016 04:01pm

@Harmony-1© n ur point is ?

Recommend 0

Lalit

Jan 24, 2016 04:18pm

@m sing , than go & get it.

Recommend 0

kuka

Jan 24, 2016 04:19pm

I hope india will buy Rafale jets in 2050 when these will be obsolete as the matter has already been pending since last 15 years.

Recommend 0

Rabi

Jan 24, 2016 04:44pm

@kuka So what? We have not used most of our already purchased fighter jets for almost 40 years since 1971.

Recommend 0

Pbp

Jan 24, 2016 04:46pm

@m sing - well, if you want tori, then go out and work for it.

Recommend 0

UkSing

Jan 24, 2016 04:55pm

@m sing Go to any temple or gurdwaras you will get it for free. No one in India is talking about food any more, they are taking about sanitation, housing and transport e.t.c

Recommend 0

ibrahim khaleel

Jan 24, 2016 05:13pm

France is our long tme friend..Thats the reason why France allows Indian Passport holders Visa free entry into the the beautiful territory of Reunion Island. I love visiting Reunion Island and Thanks to the French government for trusting Indians enough for allowing us Visa free entry for vacation. love u france from India

Recommend 0

سے Shaam (Hanafi)

Jan 24, 2016 05:18pm

@Harmony-1© God Forbid, if the country loses a war or heavy casualties due to being ill equipped in warfare, then 'NOTHING-ELSE' will matter...

Recommend 0

Amanraj

Jan 24, 2016 05:23pm

Rafale deal is not major deal to be signed 6 Nuclear plants with 10000MW capability is major deal to be signed

Recommend 0

Salim Khan

Jan 24, 2016 05:28pm

India needs 400 more aircrafts to compete with China. As Chinese economy declines and Indian economy grows faster than China, it will take atleast 10 more years to compete with China.

Recommend 0

Faisal

Jan 24, 2016 05:47pm

for what showcase, as currently Indian army is not engaged in any war unlike Pakistan, which is against Taliban, buying these jets is no good idea.

Recommend 0

citizen

Jan 24, 2016 05:50pm

@Salim Khan this cming 10 years is called Modi era.

Recommend 0

syed abbas

Jan 24, 2016 06:08pm

It's a 4.5 generation fighter....a 4.5 generation fighter has better avionics then a mig21 or a mirage.....Jf17 is also in the same category in avionics but a better bang for the buck so for the same amount India spends on 36 rafeale fighter planes Pakistan will secure 250 jf17s better math plus Mynamar has bought 18 Jf17s for half a billion dollars....don't know the math on nuclear plants but Pakistan doesn't have the luxury of buying from anyone but China and we thank China

Recommend 0

unknown

Jan 24, 2016 06:11pm

@Harmony-1© no need to get senti.. Life is never a bed of roses. People has to earn and thats the rule

Recommend 0

Monsieur S

Jan 24, 2016 06:18pm

@m sing ..... work for it

Recommend 0

Abhishek

Jan 24, 2016 06:22pm

@m sing lazy person you shoud do something job for roti. Government will not supply roti at your home at free of cost.

Recommend 0

AKKS

Jan 24, 2016 06:54pm

@syed abbas please learn the math on nuclear plants and other fields like health and education.

Recommend 0

Badar

Jan 24, 2016 07:06pm

@Multinational Bhabi - Pakistan is already producing JF-17. It has produced and inducted 75 already India is trying for 35 years. no luck yet How can Pakistan and India can have such joint ventures? Explain

Recommend 0

defense deals

Jan 24, 2016 07:22pm

Why there is no defense deals between India and Pakistan? when will there be defense deals between India and Pakistan, may be in 50 years time?When will India buy JF-17 aircraft from Pakistan if India wants to buy?

Recommend 0

lafanga

Jan 24, 2016 07:35pm

@Bajirao Modi wants to spend billions buying weapons and French are obliging. French even tried to sell missiles to Argentina during Falkland war. There is nothing more to it. Its just money.

Recommend 0

unknown

Jan 24, 2016 07:41pm

@lafanga Yes, And we have money.

Recommend 0

lafanga

Jan 24, 2016 07:43pm

@ibrahim khaleel Visa exempt as long as travel is booked thru approved travel agents and only for 14 days and offer does not apply to mainland France. You have to look at the fine print also.

Recommend 0

Defense deals

Jan 24, 2016 07:51pm

Hope one day India becomes friends/allies with present neighboring rivals Pakistan and China and execute defense deals for aircrafts and missiles and perform joint military exercises with them.But I would like to say that since there are disputes which is the cause of rivalry between neighboring countries Pakistan and China hence defense deals with them and joint military exercises between them is unlikely in near future.

Recommend 0

Vivek

Jan 24, 2016 07:58pm

My friend is a squadron leader with IAF. He said Su is good in present era, but 20 years down the line others will overtake it. That's why this shift towards other countries.

Recommend 0

Sohail

Jan 24, 2016 08:15pm

In my personal opinion India should have focused more on home made Tejas and Sukhoi Pak-FA T 50. Currently the most advanced fighter jet Pakistan has are cold war era around 60 F-16 and India is not facing any threat from China in near future.

Recommend 0

raj

Jan 24, 2016 08:19pm

@Multinational Bhabi : To make technological advancement somebody have to study and do research. But the mind set of the majority is to make money. So a simple business of distributing goods is very attractive and most of the country men are just interested as doing these type of work to make money. This is the typical mindset of most of the business men. So, one can't see technological advancements if money is only the focus.

Recommend 0

Ayer

Jan 24, 2016 08:23pm

If India and Pakistan have to be adversaries I think they should together buy the same weapon systems from Western Nations so that at least they get discounts due to higher Nos of units. Also if capabilities of each other is known it decreases the probability of conflict

Recommend 0

raj

Jan 24, 2016 08:29pm

A country like India, which spends less than 1% of GDP on higher education, has to spend more money to getting things from abroad. The average mindset of the people is to make money, so higher education and research is not is not of their choice as it doesn't give that much of returns. Govt sees higher education in the same scale as a business, so investment in that sector is also less. So, innovation happens else where and the country just has to pay to buy things from abroad. This is the reason for the brain drain that is seen in the country too. If research pays in India people will stay in India and external defense budgets will be also less. In that sense Pakistan can also see how badly they are doing as far as education is concerned.

Recommend 0

A shah

Jan 24, 2016 09:09pm

Meeting the future superpower in person

Recommend 0

A shah

Jan 24, 2016 09:11pm

@m sing well go to your nearest 5 star restaurant in India. All Indians are getting so rich they will have the best the world has to offer.

Recommend 0

rich

Jan 24, 2016 09:30pm

@Badar @Multinational Bhabi - Pakistan is already producing JF-17. It has produced and inducted 75 already India is trying for 35 years. no luck yet How can Pakistan and India can have such joint ventures? Explain y not pakistn can bring the technology and india brings the money on the table

Recommend 0

Peace

Jan 24, 2016 09:47pm

Getting Rafale is not the real deal. Its taking time because the main deal is about the transfer of technology......

Recommend 0

m sing

Jan 24, 2016 10:28pm

many has answered me.... I am not begging for me... I am a Sikh.... I have enough I am asking for those asking for the reservations and don't have enough to eat....

Recommend 0

lafanga

Jan 24, 2016 10:32pm

@unknown Use it to feed 600 million hungry souls first.

Recommend 0

Vivek

Jan 24, 2016 11:11pm

Beware mighty China

Recommend 0

Nick

Jan 24, 2016 11:29pm

@vivek The fact is that 400 millions Indians are starving.

Recommend 0

Nick

Jan 24, 2016 11:31pm

Rafale is not a proven aircaraft, It can't compete with F16.

Recommend 0

Shame

Jan 25, 2016 01:21am

People have no food to eat and c committing Suicide and he is buying fighter jets !

Recommend 0

Atam Vetta

Jan 25, 2016 03:01am

Arguments justifying India's French purchase on China are misplaced. There is NOT going to be a war between these two countries. Both are, however, modernising their forces. China is reducing her Army by 300,000 and dividing it into, I think, 11 Units all directly under Xi. 2 different units will be based on India's border. Reduction and the border controlled by 2 Units suggest Indo-China peace & Not a preparation for war in the near future. India is likely to steal a march on China in arms production because of the willingness of the USA, France, UK, Israel & Japan to transfer technology to India under Modi's 'Make IN India' programme whereas the USA, Israel & Japan are unwilling to transfer technology to China. Thus, India's future purchase of arms from other countries will diminish and her arms export will increase because they will be competitively priced against the US, France, etc.

Recommend 0

someone

Jan 25, 2016 04:22am

Keep negotiating Mr. Modi. We need the best deal possible, specially the part of manufacturing the planes in India. That would be huge boost.

Recommend 0

someone

Jan 25, 2016 04:22am

By the way, if this does not work, Swedish are ready with Grippen with manufacturing in India along with tech transfer.

Recommend 0

Cyrus

Jan 25, 2016 04:59am

@Hitesh .... China is not a factor. China wants to use Pakistan as their entre' to the Indian consumer market. China expects India and Pakistan and China to work together. China is not going to take on the role as bodyguard for the little kid on the block.

Recommend 0

Cyrus

Jan 25, 2016 05:12am

@kuka ... ... Indians will wait another 15 years to get the right price.

Recommend 0

Ahmad Zubair

Jan 25, 2016 05:41am

It was much better If Modi sarkar thought for poor people of India rather to spend on the hellenic french technology.

Recommend 0

jamshed

Jan 25, 2016 08:11am

@Nick Not true. This plane is truly state of the art fighter with best avionics and weapon suite available. French spend $62 Billion on its development so they have to sell several hundred just to break even. India wanted TOT but French won't give all their one of kind avionics technology to India.France will supply this fighter at fly-away cost that is now close to $100.00 million/piece.

Recommend 0

Jai

Jan 25, 2016 09:25am

@m sing Buy it from the money that you spent on browsing internet.

Recommend 0

Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jan 25, 2016 11:05am

@Harmony-1© I have no sympathy for women or men for that matter who end up having a large family when they know they can't afford it.

Recommend 0

Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jan 25, 2016 11:06am

@Multinational Bhabi The next version of Tejas is a 5th generation fighter aircraft. The current version which is being inducted into IAF is 4.5 generation.

Recommend 0

Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jan 25, 2016 11:08am

@Ahmad Zubair Modi Sarkar is thinking of poor people and doing things for them. The government launch highly affordable health insurance for the poor, crop insurance for the farmer and direct transfer of gas and other subsidies into the accounts of the poor. The government is now working on generating jobs for a 100 million youths in the country.

Recommend 0

Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jan 25, 2016 11:11am

@lafanga We don't have to buy fish for the poor in India. We need to teach them to fish. That's exactly what programs like skill India, Digital India and make in India programs are addressing. When you have a billion plus population these things time. But the problems are surely being addressed.

Recommend 0

Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jan 25, 2016 11:14am

@raj You forget there is a reverse brain drain happening today. Indians are coming back in droves as global and Indian IT companies are providing better work opportunities for them within India. People who migrated abroad did so for more money. For those who intended to stay back and innovate there were enough opportunities in institutions like ISRO, DRDO, NAL,IISc etc.

Recommend 0

Last Word

Jan 25, 2016 12:30pm

India has preferred quality than quantity and also negotiating on technology transfer is a wise move which will prove to be beneficial for its long term requirement of fighter jets.

Recommend 0

Harmony-1©

Jan 25, 2016 04:03pm

@Sudhir Neyalasinger - It doesn't have to be a large family...imagine a couple of infants she is bringing up on her own...how can she "Earn it"? Besides, having large family may not be solely her decision and don't forget lack of education. Dismissing it by simply saying "I have no sympathy..." is just being callous!!!

Recommend 0

Harmony-1©

Jan 25, 2016 04:07pm

@سے Shaam (Hanafi) - When did I say it's wrong to buy defence equipment??? I was on about someone ridiculing it with "Earn it" jibe!!! We don’t have a welfare system like in the West, so everyone does its best to "Earn it".

Recommend 0