As for the selection, I hope we have made the Frogs grovel in terms of ToT. Personally I preferred the Rafale because the French are not prone to squeamishness about their equipment going to war, unlike the rest of continental Europe.
Yep-this was/is an opportunity to take full advantage of desperation among the Euro-nations. From what I’ve read over the last couple of months, the French would have been likely to offer a more lucrative strategic package (cooperation in missiles, submarines etc).
However this is technically not a contract award since the price negotiations phase remains. So either the French can screw up there (something they have been good at) or rivals cry about impropriety. Though that is not likely.
BTW-here’s the official TOI report.