After Losing F-18 E/F, Boeing Has Renewed Confidence in F-15EX Eagle-II for India's MRCA Bid

After losing out on the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) contract with its F-18 E/F fighter jets, Boeing is re-entering the competition with renewed confidence in its F-15EX Eagle-II. The IAF is currently seeking to procure 114 new fighter jets, and Boeing believes the F-15EX is a strong contender due to its advanced technology and exceptional performance capabilities.

Boeing's optimism stems from significant improvements made to the F-15EX compared to its predecessor, the F-18 E/F. The company secured a license from the US government in 2022 to discuss the potential sale of the F-15EX to India, allowing them to respond to the IAF's Request for Information (RFI) and engage in detailed discussions.

The F-15EX boasts impressive features, including:

• Speed: A top speed of Mach 2.5, making it the world's fastest fighter jet.
• Payload: Ability to carry up to 13.6 tonnes of armaments, the most heavily-armed fighter in the world.
• Strike Range: An extensive strike range of 1,200 nautical miles.
• Combat Record: The F-15 series has a proven combat record with 104 air-to-air kills and zero losses.

Despite these advantages, the F-15EX faces challenges in the Indian market. As a heavy-class fighter jet, it falls into the same category as the Sukhoi-Su-30MKI, which currently forms the backbone of the IAF. This could potentially hinder its selection. However, past reports indicate that IAF officials hold the F-15 platform in high regard, suggesting that Boeing's bid may not be without merit.

The F-15EX's inclusion in the MRCA competition adds another layer of complexity to an already competitive race. As the IAF continues its evaluation process, it remains to be seen whether Boeing's renewed confidence in the F-15EX will translate into a successful bid.

 

[Akshat]

F35 will costs IAF $50,000 per sortie ops costs. BUT, F15EX might be much more cheaper say around $30,000 or so per sortie. Rafale F3R costs $15,000+ usd's per sortie.. And Tejas around $5000+ per sortie...

And you won’t have any sources for that number, right?

 

[Akshat]

India isn’t going to buy another heavy weight fighter at all. We already have the Sukhoi jets and eventually they will be replaced by the AMCA.

India should scrap the MRFA competition as India isn’t going to spend over $25 billion in buying more foreign expensive jets and more money on a weapons package, maintenance, spares, repairs, upgrades and overhaul etc.

India needs to focus on increasing and maximising the number of production lines to at least 4 and manufacture the Tejas MK1A jets. They should also quickly manufacture the Tejas MK2 prototypes and quickly pass all of the tests and get it certified so production can begin as soon as possible. At the same time they also need to manufacture the AMCA prototypes so they can certify it as soon as possible so that production can begin as soon as possible.

Not happening before 2040.

 

[Akshat]

That is the deal

Boeing had also signed the deal for test facilities with DRDO but then back tracked and refused to honor the deal.

 

[Akshat]

BEST-IN-CLASS and cheaper minus 5th gen. fighter jet of the world- F15EX jets will be cheaper than MK2 Tejas to manufacture in India really!!

No really

 

[Akshat]

We keep making the wrong choices... Both the F16 and the F15 are the preferred aircraft by most air forces who can afford them. Let the air force decide, not the politicians or the armchair generals .. after all, our pilots are the ones whose lives are on the line...!

Well it was the Air Force which threw F16 out of MMRCA last time.

 

[Akshat]

SU57 buys means 100% Japan USA very heavy sanctions on India for trade and commerce and technology transfers... Rafale will costs 350 millions usd per unit of jet, for make in India by Dassault-DRAL.

Whatever is the cost of Rafale, it will be the cheapest among all. F15 was offered for ~400 million UsD to Indonesia without top end missiles or local production or specific modifications. So F15 will be like 800 million per plane for us.

 

[PKPRS]

i am talking about MMRCA & MRFA too .F-18 failed in MMRCA not meeting Parameters of IAF.i know what IN said. But Rafale M was having edge.(Rafale M can super cruise , can pull 11 G in emergency Rafale have delta wing which helps to perform manoeouvers weapon carrying capacity almost 9.5 ton with 13 hard points against 11 hard point for F-18 & in weapon package too From Metoer , Scalp & HAMMER .Most imp is it is capable of delivering Nulear weapons.

That was 10 years ago with different variants, all jets that participated last time have completely new variants this time. Gripen is the only jet that is totally different.

 

[PKPRS]

Rafales have been posted on the frontline against China 😂😂 Indeed, they will buy the cheapest plane, the super Eafale. Cheapest proven twice.

Yes $300Mln is very cheapest.

 

[Sridhar]

You do realise that the Rafale M and the F-18E/F both satisfied all technical requirements for the DBMRF competition, right? The Navy stated so themselves.

that said, even if against older aircraft, the F-15EX's record of 104-0 in air-to-air combat is unmatched, and does help their case somewhat. However, the MRFA jets would also be integrated with a lot of Indian weaponry, so against more modern jets with Indian weapons, the record wouldn't be nearly as good.

With that said, I am not particularly in favour of the F-15EX winning, for the simple reason that we already have enough large fighters in form of the Su-30MKI, and because another aircraft type would only make logistics more of an issue.

F15 EX is a different beast altogether.

 

[Divyansh Bhutra]

F-15x is Not going to win MRFA at all its recoed was against old Fighter jets thats why it has 100s of kills it hasnt face any Modern Fighter with modern BVR/WVR.,Earlier it was Super Hornet for Air Foce & Naval strong contender But in Tech parameters it Lost to Rafale Over Hyped from US Nothing else.old design & PR going on from US for all 3 Fighter jets Nothing on ground . Rafale & Eurofighter will b likely again TWO finalist .

Do you know what the EX variant is? It's essentially F15, but with F35's Fly by optics and all other avionics. Deadly combo.

 

[Bharat007]

Please compare the capabilties of Su-30MK1 and F-15E. You will surprised. IAF is not to happy with Su-30MK1 engine and going to spend $50mil per plane to upgrade. With this price we can buy new F-15E.

You should know about the compatibility issues. If u can buy them go ahead. Otherwise, it's a wishful thinking. IAF will never buy it because of same reason.

 

[Sridhar]

F15 EX in its current version can take out any jets used by both PAF and PLAAF. Unmatched speed , payload . It's truly a multirole jet . The only challenge remains logistics and operating costs . And to add weapons package.

 

[Akshat]

Yes $300Mln is very cheapest.

L1 twice buddy. Digest it, pinky panther.

 

[Nvs rao]

Any thing is possible based on kickbacks from the vendors

 

[PKPRS]

Indeed. Like they did 2 times in the past, our military will make the right choice once more.

one time each because they don’t want second time.

 

[Akshat]

one time each because they don’t want second time.

Twice. By India. They just love this plane man. They just can’t get enough of them.

 

[PKPRS]

Navy chief when asked about the winner between Rafale and F18 had said that both meet the requirements but Tafale has the edge due to IAF’s older purchase of 36 planes. So imagine how big an edge it would be when IAF itself would be procuring them.

IAF didn’t buy even after Macron begged, pleaded and cried more than 100 times asking them to buy, didn’t even consider the follow on order with a guaranteed same price.

 

[PKPRS]

Indeed. But there is something called educated guesses. Patterns of the past are a powerful tool to help predict the future.

That’s why they are shopping for used Mirages, which is patterns of the past, we can also have an educated guess that they don’t have much money to spend for Rafale.

 

[PKPRS]

Oh there is a very good logic. They are different ones and IN didn’t want to wait anymore for their beloved Rafale planes.

And so as MIG-29 and MIG-29K, but IAF uses both of them.

 

[PKPRS]

F-18 failed to pass Technical eveluation rounds read article carefully.Latest news IN select Rafale M over F-18 in 26 Naval Tender .Deal may signed by year end

So as Rafale, Modiji bought them only for Macron, because he couldn’t see Macron crying and pleading.