Dassault Rafale to compete for IAF plane order

Multi-role combat plane is alternative to Mirage 2000

BY A CORRESPONDENT
February 23, 2006

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Dassault will compete for Indian Air Force's (IAF) 126-fighter aircraft order with Rafale jets. Rafale is the latest technology multi-role combat plane from Dassault Aviation based in France.

Earlier, Dassault had pulled out its Mirage 2000 from the race, since the assembly line for the Mirage is being shut down. This came as a surprise to many, who thought that since IAF already has a sizeable presence of Mirage 2000, it will stand a good chance to receive the fighter plane order.

Dassault Aviation CEO Chacks Edelstenne met India's Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh. Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal AK Nangalia was also present when the Rafale offer was made.

IAF is yet to float gloal tenders for the fighter planes. The draft RFP (request for proposal) has already been sent from IAF to the government.

Dassault has made the offer to supply 40 Rafale jets. The Dassault CEO was in India as part of French President Jaques Chirac's Indian delegation.