pr00ne,
''No one has said that the Rafale is a better aircraft.''
i'm sorry, but when the Indians asked if the two aircraft could self-designate LGB's, or carry anti-ship missiles, or launch ALCM's - and the French said 'Je ne se quas! sure, here are the pictures', and EADS said 'err... yeah, it should be able to'.
and when the Indians made noises about needing a plan 'B' incase the MiG-29K buy wents tits up, and the French said 'Mangetout! don't worry, Rafale can do the business from a carrier, don't you worry about that', and the EADS team went 'err... lovely weather over here - must bring the wife'.
and when the Indians asked about a proven combat record and a proven history of integrating weapon systems and producing true multi-role capability, and the French said 'Zoot alores - these are pictures of Rafale over Afghanistan and Libya dropping death onto the beared ones/brave freedom fighters!', and the EADS team said 'well, err.. Meteor is going well...'
you don't think the Indians cocked an eyebrow and thought to themselves 'fcuking how long has this plane been in development? this bunch of jokers couldn't find their arse with both hands...'?