A European fighter aircraft is likely to provide the much-needed boost to India's air power after the defence ministry preferred them over Russian and American aircraft such as the latest in the MIG series, the MIG-35, and the F-16 and the F-18. Rafale, built by France's Dassault and the Eurofighter Typhoon built by a pan-European consortium, were shortlisted by the defence ministry on Thursday. The two companies, which produces the aircraft, have been told to keep their commercial bids open till December 31, 2011.