"This agreement, signed by [French] Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian today in New Delhi, marks recognition by the great strategic and military power [India] of the operational performance, technological quality and competitiveness of the French aviation industry," the president said in a statement issued by the Elysee Palace.
Earlier in the day, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar sealed a 7.8-billion euro deal ($8.8 billion) on 36 fighter aircraft Rafale with his counterpart Le Drian.
Rafale is a French fourth-generation multirole twin-engine fighter aircraft, designed and built by France's Dassault Aviation.
Rafale jets deal was announced in April 2015 during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris but negotiations on pricing have protracted for over a year.
