Rafale Deal On Right Track, Says French President Ahead of India Visit: 10 Developments

[mirage]

The Rafale jet deal was agreed upon when PM Modi visited Paris last year.

New Delhi: French President Francois Hollande, who will be chief guest for the Republic Day Parade, has arrived in Chandigarh. Ahead of his three-day visit, President Hollande said that the Rafale jet deal is "on the right track but agreeing on technicalities take time."
Here are the 10 latest developments:

1. "Rafale will pave the way for unprecedented industrial and technological cooperation including 'Make in India' for the next 40 years. Agreeing on the technicalities of this arrangement obviously takes time, but we are on the right track," President Hollande told the Press Trust of India.
2. Stating that France and India are united in their resolve to act against terror, President Hollande also said New Delhi is "fully justified" in demanding action by Pakistan in the Pathankot terror attack earlier this month.
3. The nearly Rs. 60,000 crore or $ 10-billion Rafale deal is expected to come up when the two leaders hold talks on Monday. The jets are key to the government's $150-billion military modernisation drive. The Air Force has said it needs fighter jets urgently to face China and Pakistan.
4. Indian and French negotiators are still haggling over the price of 36 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. The jet deal was agreed upon when PM Modi visited Paris last year.
5. The PM announced India would buy 36 Rafales in flyaway condition; both leaders ordered government-to-government talks after commercial negotiations with the manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, collapsed.
6. After arriving in Chandigarh, President Hollande, along with PM Modi, will attend a business summit and visit various landmarks in the city that has turned into a virtual fortress. Thousands of security personnel from Punjab, Haryana and para-military personnel are in Chandigarh
7. Security experts have assessed a "very real" ISIS threat. Earlier this month, a letter warning against President Hollande's visit was received by the French consulate in Bengaluru.
8. PM Modi and President Hollande are expected to sit side by side to watch the Republic Day Parade on Tuesday. This time, French soldiers will march down Rajpath along with Indian troops, a first for any foreign army.
9. In his interview, the French President praised PM Modi, saying: "I congratulate PM Narendra Modi for his diplomacy reflecting both a sense of proportion and a strong determination."
10. In tweets welcoming Mr Hollande, PM Modi wrote: "President @fhollande & I will meet in Chandigarh & Delhi. We will build on the ground covered during our previous interactions."

 

[mirage]

'Technicalities Take Time,' Says French President Francois Hollande On Rafale Deal

 

[MehrotraPrince]

We are getting way more than just 36, 90+ will be made in India. Wait for some more days and we all are going to hear good news. As already reported Navy is also considering Rafales for Aircraft carrier as well as shore facilities.

 

[Ankit Kumar]

First Rafale is not coming before 2019, mark this .
We need to get some extra Mig29s and second hand mirages if we don't want a force of 25 squadrons in 2020.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Well sources say earlier 36 were coming for all inclusive 118-120 Mn$ per jet.
Our negotiations for 54 we are wanting a 5-7% more discount and want per jet all inclusive to be closer to 110 approximate Mn$

In return the potential of IAF and IN orders are the carrots being dangled..

It's negotiations after all....