Politics

Rafale Deal Controversy Timeline: Allegations & Impact

The Rafale deal controversy is the dispute over India's 23 September 2016 agreement to buy 36 Rafale jets from France for about 7.87 billion euros, replacing a…

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TWO DEALS

126 Jets Versus 36

Why the comparison matters.

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28 AUG 2007

Tender for 126 Fighters

Six makers bid.

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31 JAN 2012

Rafale Lowest Bidder

Talks with HAL stall.

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10 APR 2015

Modi Announces 36 Jets

Government-to-government.

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2015-2016

Announcement to Signature

How the deal took shape.

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23 SEP 2016

Agreement Signed

50% offsets.

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3 OCT 2016

Dassault-Reliance JV

The partner row begins.

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21 SEP 2018

Hollande's Remark

India and Dassault deny.

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OFFSETS

Three Accounts of One Decision

Who chose the partner?

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14 DEC 2018

No Probe, Says SC

Not a criminal trial.

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13 FEB 2019

CAG Report Tabled

Offset not examined.

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THE AUDIT

What the CAG Found

A price comparison only.

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14 NOV 2019

Reviews Dismissed

Justice Joseph's caveat.

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INDIA

Three Refusals to Probe

2018, 2019, 2022.

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29 JUL 2020

First Jets Land

Golden Arrows squadron.

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APRIL 2021

Mediapart Report

An allegation, not a finding.

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14 JUN 2021

France Opens Probe

After Sherpa complaint.

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FRANCE

An Investigation, Not a Verdict

No charges found.

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29 AUG 2022

Fresh Plea Withdrawn

Third refusal.

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15 DEC 2022

All 36 Delivered

The pack is complete.

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28 APR 2025

26 Rafale Marine

A separate deal.

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12 FEB 2026

114 More Approved

No contract yet.

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STATUS NOW

Where Things Stand

Two tracks, no verdict.

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