IAF Seeks Urgent Resolution for MRFA Program Amidst Industry Concerns

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is making a renewed push for the swift resolution of the long-delayed Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MMRCA) program, also known as MRFA, citing critical operational needs and concerns about the development of India's defence industry. The program, aimed at acquiring 114 fighter jets, has been in the works since 2018.

IAF officials have expressed frustration over delays in the procurement process, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the fighter jet shortfall. Anonymous sources within the IAF have voiced concerns about the impact of these delays on operational capabilities and the development of a robust private sector ecosystem in the defence industry.

The MRFA program is not just about acquiring new fighter jets; it's also seen as a crucial step towards building a self-reliant defence industry in India. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) envisions a private sector-led production line that can reduce India's reliance on state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for future projects, particularly the AMCA 5th generation fighter jet.

However, the lack of experience among private companies in large-scale defence projects has created a catch-22 situation. Private companies are looking to the MRFA program as a platform to gain experience and expertise, but their hesitancy to take the lead in the AMCA program is hindering its progress.

To address these concerns, the IAF and MoD are considering several options, including streamlining the procurement process, offering incentives to private sector partners, and providing a clear roadmap outlining the path from MRFA to AMCA.

The success of the MRFA program and the future of the AMCA program are intricately linked. By taking decisive action and addressing the concerns of the private sector, the IAF and MoD can ensure the timely modernization of India's fighter jet fleet and pave the way for a more self-reliant defence industry.

 

[sanket]

Dassault may buy Remaining stake in DRAL how it will benefit AMCA Eco-system If Dassault win the MRFA Race. Who ever wins the MRFA Race should Joint Manufacture Fighter jet with complete Eco-system . Not Just Like 80% Offered in GE-414 Engine.

 

[Frank]

No phoren mall MRFA... French lotting us even in navy rafale deal...

Order 300 Tejas mk2 instead.

 

[ramdas]

It’s worse than a soap tv serial. Both the government and IAF are at loggerheads, by the time they arrive at a conclusion technology would be obsolete. 2 decades over these idiots are unable to say yes or no. And they are going to plan a two front war.

 

[NSR]

$250 millions * 114 = $28.5 billions
$300 millions *114 = $34.2 billions

That much money on 4+ generation Rafale fighter is really not worth spending for a country like India.
BTW, France/Dassault/Safran, etc are not keen on delivering any TOT at all, much less handholding an Indian company to manufacture them in India.
It will end up like Mirage-2000 and 36 Rafale programs of no end in sight negotiations and no TOT.

Better use that money to fast track all of Indian fighter programs.
Perhaps use some of that money to join UK, Japan and Italy 6th generation TEMPEST fighter program.

Sorry to disappoint fellow readers and posters.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

We should make F-36 (-5th gen) seeking tech from Lockheed Martin if they deny then we should go for Rafale F-5 !

 

[Pad UwU]

$250 millions * 114 = $28.5 billions
$300 millions *114 = $34.2 billions

That much money on 4+ generation Rafale fighter is really not worth spending for a country like India.
BTW, France/Dassault/Safran, etc are not keen on delivering any TOT at all, much less handholding an Indian company to manufacture them in India.
It will end up like Mirage-2000 and 36 Rafale programs of no end in sight negotiations and no TOT.

Better use that money to fast track all of Indian fighter programs.
Perhaps use some of that money to join UK, Japan and Italy 6th generation TEMPEST fighter program.

Sorry to disappoint fellow readers and posters.

Very true not worthy of wasting so much money on just a smaller twin engine 4th gen aircraft... Especially if the french gov., Dassault and Safran are not keen of fully transfer of technology in it's obligation sign in contract....

We also had chance of influencing eurofighter consortium when we had the chance but we wasted it kakakakak 😹😹😹

The only capable 4th gen aircraft that had chance of toe to toe to 5th gen aircraft is f15ex IMHO....

We should instead focus of delivering or showing the availability of the Tejas mk2 not the already obsolete mk1a...

The most future proof is to join GCAP Tempest 6gen to secure our stable access of war weapons TBH 😺

 

[Satheesh Santhamurthy]

Unless Dassault open up yet another manufacturing plant it isn't wise to pin hopes on Rafale., As they have whole lot of orders. For example if India orders 26 Rafale M even by today itself Dassault won't start delivery post 2029 only (considering there current production capacity)

BTW Even if they open up Indian plant and order 114 jets don't expect to cost anything less than ~$200 million per piece. As the bells & Whistles will add up whole lot of cost.

 

[Satheesh Santhamurthy]

$250 millions * 114 = $28.5 billions
$300 millions *114 = $34.2 billions

That much money on 4+ generation Rafale fighter is really not worth spending for a country like India.
BTW, France/Dassault/Safran, etc are not keen on delivering any TOT at all, much less handholding an Indian company to manufacture them in India.
It will end up like Mirage-2000 and 36 Rafale programs of no end in sight negotiations and no TOT.

Better use that money to fast track all of Indian fighter programs.
Perhaps use some of that money to join UK, Japan and Italy 6th generation TEMPEST fighter program.

Sorry to disappoint fellow readers and posters.

Logically right.,

As far as F15EX or for that matter any USA front line platforms are concerned., they come with whole lot of strings attached and we need USA permission to use it which btw isn't suggest able for Non Aligned nation like India.

My suggestion would be to buy

1. Couple squadron of Rafale
2. Fund Indian Platforms
3. Couple squadron of Russian so called 5th gen.
4. Upgrade SU 30 MKI

All has to be done parallel so that by 2030 we can start inducting all the above.

 

[RalphRearden]

BS report....Both TATA and Adani are fully capable of becoming the lead integrator if given firm orders with limited interference from the babus. Where they lack, they can easily catch up. It will take them 3 months to literally "buy" consultants froma across the globe to help them kickstart each and every manufacturing process.This article is just a failed attempt to involve the pathetic babus of HAL in MRFA.
And for those saying that JV with pvt sector didnt work for AMCA...well it didnt cos no pvt sector can become a lead integrator when they remain dependent on looser HAL for anything. Bring the entire AMCA line as a JV "among pvt sectors".....Tata,Mahindra, L&T, Reliance,Godrej......and they will work out a way to collaborate among themselves easily....the problem arises when the babus start poking around

 

[Basu]

Enough of this drama,take 2 more squadrons of Rafale with maximum tot (what's is possible)and proceed with Tejas MK2.
AMCA which just look promising on paper,I am not sure if we will it's prototype flying in this decade!!

 

[Akshat]

It’s worse than a soap tv serial. Both the government and IAF are at loggerheads, by the time they arrive at a conclusion technology would be obsolete. 2 decades over these idiots are unable to say yes or no. And they are going to plan a two front war.

Absolutely false. IAF had given its preference way back in 2011 itself. It was HAL which failed to finalize the deal.

 

[Akshat]

Very true not worthy of wasting so much money on just a smaller twin engine 4th gen aircraft... Especially if the french gov., Dassault and Safran are not keen of fully transfer of technology in it's obligation sign in contract....

We also had chance of influencing eurofighter consortium when we had the chance but we wasted it kakakakak 😹😹😹

The only capable 4th gen aircraft that had chance of toe to toe to 5th gen aircraft is f15ex IMHO....

We should instead focus of delivering or showing the availability of the Tejas mk2 not the already obsolete mk1a...

The most future proof is to join GCAP Tempest 6gen to secure our stable access of war weapons TBH 😺

With its inferior weapons package F15 has no chance against the Chinese Air Force. And EF was given their chance and they overbid. Rafale has proven to be the cheapest twice now, while meeting all the requirements twice as well.

 

[Akshat]

Logically right.,

As far as F15EX or for that matter any USA front line platforms are concerned., they come with whole lot of strings attached and we need USA permission to use it which btw isn't suggest able for Non Aligned nation like India.

My suggestion would be to buy

1. Couple squadron of Rafale
2. Fund Indian Platforms
3. Couple squadron of Russian so called 5th gen.
4. Upgrade SU 30 MKI

All has to be done parallel so that by 2030 we can start inducting all the above.

Indian platforms are getting all the funds possible but HAL and ADA are not ready to give any results. Russian fifth gen planes are so bad that our IAF chose MRFA over it, and even Russia chose Su35 over it. And it costs even more than Rafale itself. So MRFA is the only choice at this point.

 

[Akshat]

Unless Dassault open up yet another manufacturing plant it isn't wise to pin hopes on Rafale., As they have whole lot of orders. For example if India orders 26 Rafale M even by today itself Dassault won't start delivery post 2029 only (considering there current production capacity)

BTW Even if they open up Indian plant and order 114 jets don't expect to cost anything less than ~$200 million per piece. As the bells & Whistles will add up whole lot of cost.

If the orders are placed today, deliveries will start in 36 months. That’s what Dassault is promising. In fact, they are currently at 2 planes per month and will reach 3 per month by the end of this year, in time to meet the deadlines of UAe program, among others. And their CEO says that they can easily push this to even 4, if more orders come. So delivery is not at all an issue with Rafale.

 

[Akshat]

Enough of this drama,take 2 more squadrons of Rafale with maximum tot (what's is possible)and proceed with Tejas MK2.
AMCA which just look promising on paper,I am not sure if we will it's prototype flying in this decade!!

Not at all. Mk2 won’t come till 2040. We need as many squadrons of MRFA as possible. Ben mk1a isn’t out yet. Can’t trust HAL at all.

 

[Anant]

$250 millions * 114 = $28.5 billions
$300 millions *114 = $34.2 billions

That much money on 4+ generation Rafale fighter is really not worth spending for a country like India.
BTW, France/Dassault/Safran, etc are not keen on delivering any TOT at all, much less handholding an Indian company to manufacture them in India.
It will end up like Mirage-2000 and 36 Rafale programs of no end in sight negotiations and no TOT.

Better use that money to fast track all of Indian fighter programs.
Perhaps use some of that money to join UK, Japan and Italy 6th generation TEMPEST fighter program.

Sorry to disappoint fellow readers and posters.

Boss, as I stated in my reply to your comment on the GCAP article, I am not exactly sure about cancelling MRFA entirely. The reason for that is as follows:

We presently have 30 squadrons (13 Su-30MKI squadrons, 5 Jaguar squadrons, 3 Mirage 2000 squadrons, 3 MiG-29 squadrons, 2 Tejas squadrons, 2 Rafale squadrons, and 2 MiG-21 squadrons). Of these, the 2 MiG-21 squadrons are phasing out by next year. By 2040-41, this number is set to drop to 17 squadrons (from the present number) plus new Tejas / AMCA squadrons.

The best case scenario for the Tejas Mk 1A is that if we assume all 180 are delivered by 2040 (unlikely, but let's assume), that adds 8 squadrons, taking the number up to 25 squadrons. Factor in 80 Tejas Mk 2 deliveries (out of a larger hypothetical order), and that adds another 4 squadrons, giving you 29 squadrons. Let's also assume (very optimistically) that you can get a single AMCA squadron, and that leaves us at 30 squadrons, which is where we are today. Do note that even 80 Tejas Mk 2 deliveries by then are fairly optimistic.

Hence, we still have a 12 squadron shortfall by 2040. Delays in local aircraft development will push squadron numbers down still. MRFA is therefore needed to bridge numbers and avoid this critical shortfall.

What we can do, however, is to possibly scale down MRFA to, say, 100 aircraft (5 squadrons instead of 6). That would save us around 4 billion USD which can be sent into GCAP.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

It is common in any military procurement process that requires considerable amount of time required for evaluation, identifying a cost effective choice of product and government's negotiations with the manufacturers to finalise the technological issues and finally the pricing and payment. This may take a while bcoz the process is tedious.

However, the time take by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) acting as the government is taking its own sweet time in a very casual manner for many years, more than ten long years is totally unacceptable and pathetic. This clearly displays the attitude and mentality of the people in the government bureaucracy that these fellas has no knowledge about external threats looming in the horizon. As I have always said that those old school mindset people in the government are known for their slow coach but complacent approach. This is one of the reasons why it takes ages to make proactive decisions. By the time if at all MRFA procurement is finalised, the MRFA technology will be close to outdated. Then IAF may need spend several millions to upgrade the MRFA fighter aircrafts.

 

[Anant]

It is common in any military procurement process that requires considerable amount of time required for evaluation, identifying a cost effective choice of product and government's negotiations with the manufacturers to finalise the technological issues and finally the pricing and payment. This may take a while bcoz the process is tedious.

However, the time take by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) acting as the government is taking its own sweet time in a very casual manner for many years, more than ten long years is totally unacceptable and pathetic. This clearly displays the attitude and mentality of the people in the government bureaucracy that these fellas has no knowledge about external threats looming in the horizon. As I have always said that those old school mindset people in the government are known for their slow coach but complacent approach. This is one of the reasons why it takes ages to make proactive decisions. By the time if at all MRFA procurement is finalised, the MRFA technology will be close to outdated. Then IAF may need spend several millions to upgrade the MRFA fighter aircrafts.

This hasn't gone to the CCS yet. Let me highlight the process from here on out:

1. Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) issuance by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).
2. Request for Proposal (RfP) issuance.
3. Responses to RfP and bid evaluations.
4. Start of detailed negotiations with one or two vendors.
5. Completion of detailed negotiations and final decision of winner.
6. Presenting of finalised deal to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval.
7. Contract signing.

We are stuck at Step 1. Step 6 is a long way away.

 

[Sandeep]

The government aren't going to make a over $25 billion Rafale deal as it will be too expensive. The focus is on developing and manufacturing the Tejas MK2 and AMCA as otherwise we will be stuck on foreign expensive imports for the next few decades. Researching technology takes time to develop and is expensive but it has to be done and we have to learn how to do it or we will never learn.

Currently the number of squadrons are down but those numbers were developed over 20 years ago where one jet only had one role like either being a bomber or air superiority fighter. Now we are using multi role jets where we can use them for any role. Another improvement has been the number of SAM we have developed and deployed like the BMD Shield, S400, MR-SAM, Akash, Spyder, QRSAM along with the upgraded L70 air guns which automatically give the area a 24/7 area denial that jets are not able to do as they need to refuel or pilots need a break so this reduces the number of jets we actually need. So India's defence is very strong but what we need is more offensive capabilities and that's why we need to develop our own indigenous Tejas MK2 and the AMCA which will improve our squadron strengths and give us a advantage.