Here's an old truism: When first world economies are in the doldrums there is still one tried and true place to get a jolt: the arms market. Prime Ministers and Presidents make calls on behalf of private firms in the hopes of sealing the deal.
France, looking at projected GDP growth in 2012 of a mere 0.5 percent received its jolt today with news that its aircraft manufacturer Dassault had completed a deal to sell 126 Rafale fighter jets to India. The price tag is estimated at between $10 and 11 billion. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is smiling.

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