India decides, for now, not to buy other Rafale jets

Two months ago, the head of Dassault estimated that 95% of the negotiations had been successfully completed, with India on the point of ordering up to 126 Rafale jets. But, things have not gone quite as planned. On 31 May, the Indian Defence Minister stated that, finally, India would not go beyond the 36 combat aircraft ordered in mid-April. In his words, the Rafale is "too expensive". So, have three years of effort, and more than 10,000 pages of documents drafted, all been for nothing ? Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation tempers the situation : "We're happy with an order for 36 aircraft, made entirely in France. The faster it is signed, the better. After which, I am sure we will continue working together, because I believe that India needs more than 36 aircraft, so, we'll see. We actually think that in a second phase, we will have to resume discussions concerning licensed manufacturing in India."

Is there a sequel ? India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in advocating the "Made in India" idea, wishes to bring the production of military equipment on its soil, up from 40% to 70%, within five years ; so a new turnaround, positive this time for Dassault, is not excluded.