Govt Should Consider "Over-the-Counter" 5th Gen Fighter Jet Purchase if MRFA Delays Continue: Parliamentary Committee May Urge

A forthcoming report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence is expected to reiterate its call for the government to consider acquiring fifth-generation fighter aircraft "over the counter" if the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project faces further delays. This highlights growing concerns over the Indian Air Force's (IAF) dwindling fighter squadron strength and the urgent need to bolster its capabilities.

The committee previously expressed concerns about the slow pace of the MRFA program, which aims to procure 114 advanced fighter jets. They emphasized the risk of it becoming another protracted acquisition process, similar to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and the Kaveri jet engine programs.

The committee's recommendation is to "consider buying state-of-the-art fifth-generation fighter aircraft over the counter, without losing time, to keep the force in a comfortable position." This reflects the urgency of the situation, as the IAF's squadron numbers continue to decline.

While acknowledging the IAF's current capabilities, the report underscores the need for modernization. The $20 billion MRFA project is crucial for this, aiming to procure advanced jets under the "Make in India" framework to foster technology transfer and domestic production. However, bureaucratic delays and the complex tendering process have hampered progress.

Currently, India lacks a fifth-generation fighter jet. While the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program aims to address this gap, the indigenous platform is still under development and unlikely to enter service before 2035.

In this context, "over-the-counter" acquisition of operational fifth-generation jets, such as the American F-35, could provide a temporary solution to address immediate capability shortfalls. However, this approach comes with significant costs and might bypass the long-term benefits of domestic manufacturing initiatives.

The committee's anticipated reiteration of its recommendation reflects a pragmatic acknowledgment of the IAF's immediate needs. However, the government must balance these short-term acquisitions with its long-term vision of developing a self-reliant defense ecosystem. While "over-the-counter" purchases may address immediate challenges, they could potentially hinder indigenous programs like the AMCA and the Kaveri engine.

 

[sanket]

Just scrap the MRFA & go for G2G 114 +26 Rafale M =140 Rafale under Make in India or If Dassault Resist or unwilling for starting Local Assembly Line with Eco-system then go for Su-57

 

[Invi Pass]

$20 billion can get 150 F-35 jets or 200 Su-57s but then you cannot have both. But it seems our defense planners cannot see stealth fighters maybe they think they are invisible to the eyes.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

In next 10 years we will develop one more 4th gen fighter apart from Tejas Mk1A. AMCA will not be inducted anytime before 2040. It is a long wait for us to get AMCA. USA can not be trusted with critical military platform. You never know when they block access or put restrictions.
We must buy few squadrons of SU57 with India specific inputs. It will be much more advanced than any MRFA jet in consideration.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

Honestly, there is no 5 gen fighters on offer in the International Market for India. Doubt if US might offer F-35 Unless India make considerable concession in the form of geopolitical affairs. Moreover, it will come with lots of do's and don'ts. As for Su-57, there is CAATSA even if Russia allow India to produce locally.
Idea of buying 5 gen fighters under MRFA is good through.

 

[White T POISON]

Scrap the mrfa. Do direct deal with french for 114 rafales and set up manufacturing plant. Then go to the Americans and buy the f-15EX and set up manufacturing plant for 120 f-15EX and then make a deal of 72 typhoons and set up plant for it. All three are needed for the IAF as well as 18-36 f-35A or 54 su-57's.

 

[Hugo Sanchez]

If GoI want to take this path, i think the sensible thing will be, to aquire 3-4 squads of f35 and 2-3 squads of rafale.
And scrap the mrfa.

 

[Chinese eater]

In next 10 years we will develop one more 4th gen fighter apart from Tejas Mk1A. AMCA will not be inducted anytime before 2040. It is a long wait for us to get AMCA. USA can not be trusted with critical military platform. You never know when they block access or put restrictions.
We must buy few squadrons of SU57 with India specific inputs. It will be much more advanced than any MRFA jet in consideration.

F35 purchase model like how Israel bought can be explored. Anyway once American fighter jets comes into IAF then soon all our indigenous projects will be sabotaged by Americans agents and American paid Indian agents. That is how America works

 

[Ysmir Rewari]

Aah, I miss the days in 2020, reading claims that AMCA would have it's prototype released in 2024, waiting one day 4 years will pass and I will see videos of AMCA taking it's first flight. But unfortunately we have inefficient ADA/HAL that refuse keep adding +2, +3, +4 to the timeline.

When an adversary attacks and these systems are needed, unfortunate IAF pilots will lose their lives and we would wonder, what could have been had AMCA been ready on TIME!

 

[Pramkumar]

better to order more money for the Kaveri engine.

 

[desigandu]

The Russian stealth jets are unproven and mostly on paper, the American stealth jets are not on offer, China is our enemy with almost 500-1000 stealth planes by 2035, AMCA will not fly before 2035, GCAP & FCAS 6th gen programs may fly only by 2035-2040 and we are not part of it, Pakistan may get J-31 stealth planes by 2030 - so what is our plans around stealth jets for penetrating contested air spaces!

 

[PARASHURAM]

Be patient. But where is the option were we can buy 5th generation fighter. Nobody will give you this kind of technology. Already we have upgradation of su:30 aircraft which is in 5th generation standards. At this point of time we have to wait for a long period until we get advance medium combat aircraft AMCA. Because We have already lost a valuable decade in efficiency of some people.

 

[Spectre]

Just scrap the MRFA & go for G2G 114 +26 Rafale M =140 Rafale under Make in India or If Dassault Resist or unwilling for starting Local Assembly Line with Eco-system then go for Su-57

French tech is not reliable after Scorpene disaster, it is better to avoid any French product, they are super expensive unreliable tech.

 

[Spectre]

The Russian stealth jets are unproven and mostly on paper, the American stealth jets are not on offer, China is our enemy with almost 500-1000 stealth planes by 2035, AMCA will not fly before 2035, GCAP & FCAS 6th gen programs may fly only by 2035-2040 and we are not part of it, Pakistan may get J-31 stealth planes by 2030 - so what is our plans around stealth jets for penetrating contested air spaces!

French junk tech is proven in Scorpene disaster followed by decommissioning.

 

[desigandu]

French junk tech is proven in Scorpene disaster followed by decommissioning.

France has no stealth jets that it can offer! Rafales, even version F5, will be obsolete by 2040!

 

[Andy]

F35 not offered. Even if they do, May not offer source codes, integrating Indian weapons. May put tnc. In short, dealing with US deep state is a headache. Plus, per hour cost and availability a big question.
SU57 is 4.9 gen at best. Also, not available due to war. No other 5th gen option.

 

[Anant]

French tech is not reliable after Scorpene disaster, it is better to avoid any French product, they are super expensive unreliable tech.

Yes, I am sure your analysis explains why five nations operate the Scorpene design and why so many nations operate the Rafale and other French equipment.

The accident with Vagir was a lapse in operational procedures, nothing more.

 

[Akshat]

$20 billion can get 150 F-35 jets or 200 Su-57s but then you cannot have both. But it seems our defense planners cannot see stealth fighters maybe they think they are invisible to the eyes.

150 F35 for 20 billion usd??? Are you talking about barebones planes sir?

 

[Anant]

French junk tech is proven in Scorpene disaster followed by decommissioning.

Followed by decommissioning? Sheesh, with the amount of nonsense you are speaking, you are either paid off to speak against French equipment, or have some form of pathological fear of French equipment. I wonder which of those it is?

 

[Avada kedavra]

And yet most of the top arms exporters in the world are Allie’s of US 😂😂

Thats the problem. All rich former colonial powers have now come together. Britain france germany spain italy turkey etc
They can no lomger dictate terms on their own so they banded together like cowards.

 

[Avada kedavra]

Russia is even less trustworthy, not to mention that Su57 is anyways a junk.

Then why did indua buy their junk for over 70 yrs?
Who decided it. The military men or the politicians?

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

Buy 38 Rafael and 114 SU-57 with full transfer of technology and replace Russian equipment to the maximum with Indian avionics and Indian weapons. To cater for the Chinese purchase 4 squns of SU-57M /F-35 A. All these Aquisitions must be completed starting 25 within 5 years.

 

[Akshat]

In next 10 years we will develop one more 4th gen fighter apart from Tejas Mk1A. AMCA will not be inducted anytime before 2040. It is a long wait for us to get AMCA. USA can not be trusted with critical military platform. You never know when they block access or put restrictions.
We must buy few squadrons of SU57 with India specific inputs. It will be much more advanced than any MRFA jet in consideration.

Russia is even less trustworthy, not to mention that Su57 is anyways a junk.

 

[Aloo]

The accident with Vagir was a lapse in operational procedures, nothing more.

Court of Inquiry doesn't happen so fast. No report send even to MoD.

Wait and don't spread rumors about crew.

 

[Akshat]

Then why did indua buy their junk for over 70 yrs?
Who decided it. The military men or the politicians?

My comment specifically mentioned Su57, no? Have we purchased that ever in the 70 years?

But coming to the sentiment. We didn’t buy them for over 70 years to be precise. Our first major imports started around the 60s. They took over the Indian market around that time. And had the biggest share till about 2014. Since then, they have been losing share quickly.

As for who was responsible, I think it was a mix of various factors. One, we didn’t really have too much money to buy western weapons. And US specifically was with Pakistan. And they didn’t want to anger China too much either. So we had no option but to buy Soviet stuff.

Also, we had a socialist government. We even added that word specifically in the constitution in the 70s. So whether their stuff was good or not, our government wanted to buy from them anyways.

 

[Akshat]

Thats the problem. All rich former colonial powers have now come together. Britain france germany spain italy turkey etc
They can no lomger dictate terms on their own so they banded together like cowards.

Why coward? Won’t it be called strategy? Isn’t it their right and duty to do everything possible for their own welfare? It is our duty to do the same for India.

 

[Akshat]

F35 purchase model like how Israel bought can be explored. Anyway once American fighter jets comes into IAF then soon all our indigenous projects will be sabotaged by Americans agents and American paid Indian agents. That is how America works

And yet most of the top arms exporters in the world are Allie’s of US 😂😂

 

[Anant]

Court of Inquiry doesn't happen so fast. No report send even to MoD.

Wait and don't spread rumors about crew.

Boss, I am not spreading rumours, but it is the most likely cause. The equipment would almost certainly not be at fault here given rigorous use and the like, and an equipment failure is unlikely given the submarine left on her mission immediately after reaching port and disembarking the rescued fishermen.

It doesn't even have to be crew failures. Many times, procedures do not take certain events into account, or the boat may have been operational orders to keep some equipment offline.

Please note that my intention is not to blame anyone, least of all the crew. However, what I am saying is that there has been some lapse in procedure, not lapse of procedure. The former shows an accidental error, while the latter is an intentional error.

 

[Alok Gupta]

I think for certain situation Indian gov needs to overlook th eneed ot make things in India and just get systems off the shelf to fill the gap. At this time, buying the Rafale and F-35 does not make sense because there is a hugh backlog for both of these jets. It will be 10 6-8 years before IAF starts to get any new plane. That leaves the F-15EX, Eurofighter and the SU-57 as alternates. The IAF and GoI need to hurry up and make a decision on one of these.