IAF and MoD Aim for MRFA Tender Decision by May 2025, Eyeing Interim Rafale F4 Purchase and 5th-Gen Options with G2G Deal

In a decisive move to address its dwindling combat strength, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are establishing a committee to expedite fighter jet procurement. This committee will prioritize the long-delayed Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, with a major decision expected by May 2025.

This urgency stems from the critical need to prevent the IAF's squadron strength from falling to a precarious low of 28 by year's end, a mere 3-4 squadrons more than the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

The MRFA tender, initiated in 2019, aims to acquire 110 advanced fighter jets. However, the committee's mandate is not to review existing indigenous programs like the Tejas or the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), but to focus on strategies for rapidly increasing operational squadrons.

A key debate within defence circles revolves around whether to acquire 4.5 generation or 5th generation fighters. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has previously urged the IAF to consider 5th generation aircraft to compensate for MRFA delays, emphasizing the strategic need for advanced technology to maintain an edge over regional adversaries.

While the IAF's exact plans remain undisclosed, a dual approach seems likely:

• Interim Rafale F4 Procurement: The IAF may opt for an immediate, smaller purchase of 36 updated Rafale F4 jets. This would serve as a stopgap measure, leveraging existing infrastructure and training for the Rafale platform.
• Government-to-Government Deal for 5th Generation Fighters: Simultaneously, there's a push for a 5th generation fighter through government-to-government agreements. This could involve the USA (F-35), Russia (Su-57), or even European collaborations. Such a deal could significantly boost the IAF's capabilities in the coming years.

This urgency is compounded by the phasing out of older aircraft like the MiG-21 and slow induction of new indigenous jets. With the IAF aiming for 42 squadrons, each procurement decision is crucial for national security and deterrence.

The committee's efforts to expedite the MRFA tender and explore interim solutions reflect the IAF's commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced and operationally ready fighter fleet in the face of evolving regional security challenges.

 

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[ANKIT MEHTA]

Only Solution is
IAF Should Procure 44 More Rafales i.e. 80 (4 Sqdn).
IAF Must Accept Offer of HLA of 72 More Su-30 Mki (Super Sukhoi) Total Number 259+12+72 = 343 i.e. Approx 19 Sqdn
IAF Should Procure Some 60/80 5th Gen Ready Platform may be Su-57 (as Su-57 is Still Better Platform Then Other Indian Inventory).
and Apart from These IAF Should Full Focus on Tejas MK1A, Tejas MK 2 & AMCA and Must Cancel MRFA/MMRCA.

 

[Akshat]

If IAF wants to procure 5th gen then there only hope is su-57.
Su-57 is not as stealthy as f-22 or f-35 but can work against Chinese stealth aircrafts (hopefully).
If trump allow the sale of f-35 to india, still IAF can't get that bird very soon because of long order book.
So IAF have three options
1) wait for f-35
2) compromise with su-57
3) go full fledge with AMCA and pressure MoD and DRDO to complete the program asap.
If IAF wants quality then they have to wait for all programs. Even al-51f is not completely ready. Then it's best to spend time and money on indigenous aircraft.

Su57 isn't even Russia's hope for fifth gen planes. 🤣🤣

As for DRDO, no one on this planet can pressure them to do anything. 🤣🤣

 

[Surendra Barsode]

India should take 2 squadrons of F 35 from USA on lease for 10 years. This would be similar to deal with Russia for nuclear attack submarines, AMCA will be ready in the meanwhile. Now that Israel is quite secure, F35s should be available from many countries. If not 2 squadrons, then 1 squadron on lease and 1 squadron on stand by arrangement is also good enough. We should give required guarantees to USA about S 400 etc. and close the deal soon.

 

[Anant]

India should take 2 squadrons of F 35 from USA on lease for 10 years. This would be similar to deal with Russia for nuclear attack submarines, AMCA will be ready in the meanwhile. Now that Israel is quite secure, F35s should be available from many countries. If not 2 squadrons, then 1 squadron on lease and 1 squadron on stand by arrangement is also good enough. We should give required guarantees to USA about S 400 etc. and close the deal soon.

That's not how these things work. The US isn't bending over backwards to lease fighters to anyone, let alone us.

 

[Anant]

For whole country 500-800 Rafales would be ok. Just look at the number of islands, border length and vastness. Assume some 30% would be under maintenance. Then this number is good estimate.

500-800 Rafales, or 500-800 fighters? There is a massive difference between the two things.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

That's not how these things work. The US isn't bending over backwards to lease fighters to anyone, let alone us.

No harm in making offer! May be cost for other options will fall!!

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

500-800 Rafales, or 500-800 fighters? There is a massive difference between the two things.

ok 800 then for protection of 1.4 billion people and numerous valuable companies and professionals that are present within drivable distance from border.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

@Steel Mathi
I agree with u bro. India should've ordered more than 36 Rafales' in 2016. Judging by it, IAF Sq. wouldn't have been depleted so much as in today. By 2025, all 100s of Rafales' ordered would have been already delivered.

Buying just 36 Rafales made no sense. Now with their production lines full and supply chain issues there is little to no hope of quick deliveries. Should've stuck to Su 30's. Probably getting more Su 30's is what they will end up doing eventually.
Probably too late for Tejas Mk 2...a 4th Gen fighter program that doesn't yet have a flying prototype and is beset my innumerable delays seems like a waste of money now.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

@Rational Guy
The Chinese might be willing to cut a deal with India. We are far more important trade partner than any of our "unfriendly" neighbours and their primary focus is the USA, not us. Given that much of India's industrial base is reliant on Chinese imports would work against us in any potential conflict.

 

[Sandeep]

The best option, least costliest and quickest way to increase the number of jets is to go for another repeat order of 36 more Rafale jets but with the latest technology, ISE and variant included. We should also negotiate this deal along with the Rafale marine jets that we will purchase so that we can reduce the price as much as possible. If we split the deal between the navy and air force then the price will cost more for the air force and navy individually.

We should also scrap the MRCA competition deal as it’s going to be too expensive by easily costing over $25b, we won’t get the main critical technology like radar, EW, engine, jet computer etc transferred to us or get to manufacture a large percentage amount of the jets indigenously with Indian raw content.

While this foreign deal is possible we need to focus on manufacturing the Tejas MK1A jets on time and without delays as all of the technology, equipment and software etc is certified safe and works reliably.

What we urgently need to do is quickly design and manufacture the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototypes as we will need to install and test the technology and its capabilities to ensure that they work properly, without any problems and it gets certified. Those two jets are the most important jets that we will need and have to rely on for the next 30-50 years.

 

[Anant]

ok 800 then for protection of 1.4 billion people and numerous valuable companies and professionals that are present within drivable distance from border.

I suppose you mean 800 fighters in total. That works out to about 44 squadrons. We are barely managing 28 decent squadrons, so 42, let alone 44, is a distant pipe dream.

 

[Anant]

No harm in making offer! May be cost for other options will fall!!

No, this is not something you make a offer or request for. The reason here is geopolitical and technological, with the US not wanting to put F-35s anywhere near S-400s, and with India not exactly being a US ally.

 

[lucky]

All components in Rafale of 5 gen minus stealth, we need Tech transfer from French, better go for 114 MRFA Tender

 

[Prashan Kumar]

The IAF has been sleeping for so long. They don't know how to get stuff done. They don't have any capable person to convince the Defence Ministry to get what they need within the required time. Forget about China, they are far ahead of us in the number of squadrons, but now Pakistan, Turkey, and South Korea are moving ahead of us in air force strength. The IAF has an able partner in HAL to delay everything. Both are made for each other.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

More importantly they should do it quietly and secretly instead of blasting about fake timelines. But as usual it won't happen.

If that happens it would be unprecedented. Lets hope for the best and plan for the worst.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Problem with Rafale is we have to wait for 10 years to get the first Rafale, we might end up getting 200 F21’s including some sparsely used F16’s and later on F-35 who knows..

They will expedite and increase the production. Everyone (apart from sarkari companies) like more orders more money.

 

[PKPRS]

For whole country 500-800 Rafales would be ok. Just look at the number of islands, border length and vastness. Assume some 30% would be under maintenance. Then this number is good estimate.

We cant afford USD 30 Trillion

 

[Rational Guy]

@Rational Guy
The Chinese might be willing to cut a deal with India. We are far more important trade partner than any of our "unfriendly" neighbours and their primary focus is the USA, not us. Given that much of India's industrial base is reliant on Chinese imports would work against us in any potential conflict.

Chinese will attack but when is the issue. Even if they attack in say 10 years (2035) our airpower will be deficient compared to their airpower.

 

[PKPRS]

They will expedite and increase the production. Everyone (apart from sarkari companies) like more orders more money.

They only make 10-11 Rafale/year, supply chan all over the world is still strained, they have to deliver 228 + 26 for Indian Navy to export customers before starting deliveries to us. even if they make 20/year, it will take 12 years for them to deliver the first airforce Rafale by 2037 when Chinese will be flying at-least 500 6th gen jets, why do we need a 4th gen jet in that era.

 

[Foxbat]

As I know it is procurement for 114 MRFA since 2018 but here it says otherwise. Nevermind mind about it. After five long years and on still GoI and whatever committees responsible for this urgent requirements has taken much too long not giving the due priority on this matter. If this news is too good to believe I am hoping very much to hear a good news by May 2025, hopefully. I believe whichever manufacturer is chosen the deal should prioritise on production lines in India, transfer of technologies and willing to share cost of setting up production facilities in India. India should go for hard bargain with manufacturers to our reasonable requests.