France, Sept. 11 -- French aircraft manufacturerDassault Aviation has offered to equip India's homemade aircraft carrier with Rafale jets. Butthe French firm faces stiff competition from America's Boeing, which is pitching F-18 fighter planes for the new vessel.

India this week commissioned the 43,000-ton INS Vikrant. The giant vesselcan hold 30 aircraft and helicopters-abouthalf the capacity of the US Navy's Nimitz class carriers.

Vikrant will initially be equipped with Russian-origin MiG-29s borrowed from India's other aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Vikrant will thenrearm with Western aircraft once the deal has been approved by the government.

"As of now, there is no one else in the race except Boeing and Dassault," one official ...