The deal has been delayed since India began talks with Rafale's manufacturer Dassault Aviation last year.

BBC: Manmohan Singh: French fighter jet talks 'going well'

Some even wondered if the Rafale could survive with France as its only customer.

ECONOMIST: India favours France��s Dassault

The capabilities of both the Rafale and the Eurofighter were on display during the Libyan war.

ECONOMIST: India favours France��s Dassault

But much depends on whether France's Dassault, which builds the new Rafale fighter, also joins the effort.

ECONOMIST: European armaments

The Rafale was selected over jets from Boeing Co.

WSJ: India Still to Finalize Terms for Jet Deal With Dassault

For example, besides both firms being members of the consortium that builds the Eurofighter (see picture above), EADS is a big shareholder in Dassault, manufacturer of the rival Rafale jet.

ECONOMIST: EADS and BAE Systems

After seeing the Rafale rejected repeatedly over the past decade, by the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland, the French were desperate to win a contract.

ECONOMIST: India favours France��s Dassault

The Rafale switches more easily into a ground-attack mode.

ECONOMIST: India favours France��s Dassault

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said four Rafale fighter jets, flying from their base in France, had attacked and destroyed rebel training camps and logistics depots in Gao, which acted as back-up bases for terrorist groups.

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