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India to buy Dassault's Rafale fighter planes: PTI

India has selected the French Rafale fighter to form part of its future air force fleet, and is looking to forge a joint venture partnership with Dassault Aviation, Vaucresson, France, to meet its requirements, media reports said.

The Defence News quoting Indian government and military officials said that the Indian Air Force would require 200 new-generation combat planes in the next 25 years.

The official said his ministry is currently drafting a joint venture policy with France for the co-production in India of Rafale and that Dassault has agreed to a joint venture arrangement on the aircraft development programme.

Dassault Aviation has offered to India the standard version of Rafale, which has an external payload capacity of 9.5 tons and mid-air refueling capability. A senior IAF officer said the service's requirements include high firepower, very long flying range, multi-targeting capability and low operating cost, among other things.

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