Article Posted on : - May 21, 2009

Rafale Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft. A file photo

NEW DELHI (BNS): French fighter aircraft Rafale is back in contention for the 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) which India seeks to acquire.

The decision to allow Rafale to take part in the Indian Air force’s bid to acquire MMRCA was taken at a meeting of the Defence Procurement Board here on Monday, media reports on Thursday said.

Earlier Rafale, made by Dassault, was declared out of the race after technical evaluations. The Technical Evaluation Committee had made the recommendation, as Dassault did not provide information on some equipment and add-ons that the IAF wanted to be in the aircraft, The Hindu reported quoting sources in the Defence Ministry.

However, the Defence Procurement Board, which met under the chairmanship of Defence Secretary Vijay Singh, decided not to accept the recommendation. The Board felt the French firm should also get a look-in when the Indian Air Force conducted field trials over the next few months, it said.

After the news emerged in April, the French launched a fresh bid. Many of the issues that remained unresolved were since then addressed, the sources said.

Now that the parameters set out in the technical evaluations had been complied with, it was felt that Rafale should be allowed to take part in the bid, along with Boeing’s F/A18, Lockheed Martin’s F-16, Saab’s Gripen, MIG-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon.

F/A18, F-16, MiG-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon took part in the Bangalore Aero India Show this February, but Rafale and Gripen did not participate in the live display.

Saab announced the opening of its office in India and put up a cockpit simulator, while the French delegation was led by its Defence Minister, it said.