Repots noted that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has allowed the French fighter aircraft Rafale, of Dassault Aviation to take part in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) $10 billion multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) bid along with Boeing’s F/A-18, Lockheed Martin’s F-16, Saab’s Gripen, the MIG-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon. MoD spokesperson indicated that, in its fresh bid, Rafale had provided the technical inputs in tune with the parameters set out for the technical evaluation committee of the IAF1.

• 1. “Rafale set for return to MRCA contention,” May 22, 2009, at http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdi/jdi090522_1_n.shtml