Rafale News. So much for a quick deal...

via Reuters.

NEW DELHI, April 11 (Reuters) - India will not receive its first Rafale fighter jet from France's Dassault Aviation for up to two and a half years and tricky issues including pricing must still be worked out, India's defence minister said on Saturday.
Manohar Parrikar's comments came a day after India ordered 36 ready-to-fly Rafale fighters to modernise an ageing fleet apace with neighbours China and arch-rival Pakistan, which are fast upgrading military hardware.
While the order is meant to be delivered as soon as possible, terms and conditions of the deal - estimated at about 4 billion euros ($4.25 billion) - have yet to be worked out, the minister said.
"It may take two to two-and-a-half years to get the first plane," Parrikar told reporters. "Fly-away means not tomorrow, it has to be designed as per India's need, plus there is a requirement of working out the price."

Wow.

Quite honestly I'm surprised that I'm surprised.  The French have a habit of making premature announcements about aircraft sales.  Additionally we should know better than to take the word of politicians when it comes to deals.

"Designed as per India's need"?

That should be filling French and Dassault officials with dread...India will extract a pound of flesh before they sign a contract.