Rafale makes your country stronger, don't know why people criticise: Macron
India Today
The Defence Acquisition Council approved the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets worth Rs 3.25 lakh crore last week, boosting the Indian Air Force's capabilities ahead of Emmanuel Macron's visit to India.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is in Delhi to attend the ongoing AI Impact Summit 2026, on Thursday defended the deal with India for 114 Rafale jets, rejecting criticism around the agreement and asserting that the fighter planes only make India a stronger military power and boosts the strategic partnership between the two countries.
"The business component is part of the dialogue between the company (Dassault Aviation) and your government. And I mean, I don't see how people can criticise because it makes your country stronger, it increases the strategic relationship between us, and it creates more jobs here," Macron said in reply to a question by India Today.
Macron's statement came a week after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets, a move set to significantly enhance the Indian Air Force's operational capability. The clearance of the mega Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal came ahead of Macron's visit to India.
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