Having lost out on the multi-billion Indian Air Force contract, the Pentagon said American fighter jets - F16 and F18 - would have provided India unbeatable platforms with proven technologies at a competitive price.
"We are extremely confident that the F/A-18IN and F-16IN would have provided the Indian Air Force unbeatable platforms with proven technologies at a competitive price," the Pentagon spokesman Cmdr Leslie Hull-Ryde said.
"As you know, our platforms are derived from combat proven fighter aircraft and represent the cutting-edge of proven technology", Hull-Ryde said.
The Pentagon remarks came a day after India announced that the French company Dassault Aviation has emerged as the lowest bidder for its multi-billion fighter jet deal, beating out the Eurofighter Typhoon.
In April India had already rejected the bids of two American fighters jets along with that of the Russians and Swedish.
Hull-Ryde clarified that there has been no offer to sell F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) to India.
"Should India indicate interest in purchasing the JSF, the United States would be prepared to provide information on the JSF and its requirements (infrastructure, security, etc) to support India's future planning," she said.
F16, F18s would have provided India unbeatable platforms: US - Indian Express
F16, Mig29 and Mirage2000 were fit in comparison since early 80s and all these 3 aircrafts have 10s of customers worldwide. These aircrafts were again upgraded to F16 block52, Mig29SMT and Mirage2000-5 mk2 in 90s to last decade and are still in high demand. Mig29k is being currently bought by India for their ACs with their current upgrades of Mig29 to SMT standard, F16 block52 is being bought by its customers like Pakistan/ Turkey as their top guns, and Mirage2000-5 mk2 is still the back boon of French and over 20 other air force of the world. (like Mirage2000N, a variant of Mirage2000-5, still has nuclear strike responsibility for France, and also for India.) when India signed deal for upgrading its old Mirage2000 to 2000-5 mk2 for over $70mil each in 2011, more than price of a new F16 block 52, then it had certain reasons, that is, IAF had calculated that Mirage2000-5 mk2 is superior to F16 block52, obviously, as US has offered F16 block52 to India since 2008
But it was clear that Rafale, EFT Typhoon, F16 block 70, Super Hornet, Mig35 would be the ‘next generation’ option, as for example, all these aircrafts are offered with AESA radar but none of the above 3 of 80s. like, production line of Rafale was opened when French closed production line of Mirage2000 with the claim that Rafale is ‘next gen’ option, a ‘+’ superior to Mirage2000-5 mk2. IAF was first interested in Mirage2000-5 mk2 for MRCA in 2007 but French closed its production line with a claim that Rafale is a ‘next generation’ option. So, India either had option for Mig35/ Mig29VOT, which was also offered with AESA radar with much improved a2g capabilities of this primarily an air superiority aircraft, for only $50mil each only, with already existing infrastructure of Mig29 in India making in attractive than F16 block 70 for similar price. Or, India could go for the ‘next generation’ option Super Hornet, Rrafale or EFT Typhoon for higher price.
But even if Super Hornet, F18, was cheaper than Rafale/ EFT, and was also as good for a2g roles as Rafale also, it was argued that Super Hornet can do its work inside Indian territory only as its air superiority capabilities is very poor and it will never be able to cross Indian border and may easily be shot down by even old SU27/ J11 also on border. (it was argued that even Mirage2000-5 mk2 would be a better option than Super Hornet.) And even if EFT Typhoon was considered to be a better side on air superiority performance, it has to be upgraded for next 4-5 years to have a competent a2g operations, and at the same time stealth features can be provided to it not before 2020, as per the recent news. Therefore, Rafale, an Omni Role Aircraft, which is among the best for a2g operations like Super Hornet, then Rafale also has air superiority capabilities of high end, capable enough to beat SU27/ J11 in a2a combat.
This way Rafale with stealth features emerged as a true Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA), capable enough to beat air superiority aircrafts in air and cross the border and conduct any very specialized operation on the other side of border if required. Hence Rafale was the winner of this MMRCA since beginning if IAF could pay twice to that of Mig35 
(the Mig35/Mig29VOT with a powerful AESA radar which could also do its all the works competently and economically the reason why it is being taken for INS Vikramaditya and IAC-1.)
(also, neither EFT Typhoon was a true Multi Role aircraft as it is designed for primarily air superiority role, and second it lose to even F16s block 52 of 80s in dog fights in a2a role also. Im sure EFT Typhoon was never in competition.)
(The logic/ analysis used for Super Hornet supports Australia’s decision to buy Super Hornet, its only customer, with a clear cut argument that Australian Super Hornets will never have to cross border as Australian border is not shared with any country. And for the Multi Role operations within the Australian territory, Super Hornet doesn’t need to have high end air superiority capabilities. With 12 submarines, first Australia will not let any aircraft carrier come close to Australian border, and with that Super Hornet may conduct one of the best A2G operations within Australian territory similar to Rafale, if required. While Super Hornet can also be fitted with a2a missiles to handle any aircraft in air
from a distance, therefore, it’s the best option for the country like Australia. But for India, they need something like Rafale who would first win in air over air superiority aircrafts like J11/ SU27 and then cross the border to conduct very specialized a2g operations on the other side of border which air superiority aircrafts like SU30MKI cant do. a top end air superiority aircraft like SU30MKI can do only a 'good' level of a2g operation after winning in sky, not a very specialised a2g operation like Rafale. And for any specialized a2g operation within Indian territory, they will already have multi role Mirage2000-5 mk2, LCA etc.)
