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.

 

[Sandeep]

Again the same lies. Show me when was the RFI issued for SEF. Answer is never.

As for mk2, it ain’t coming before 2040. Roll out delayed again. No first flight this decade.

Explain why haven’t they made a deal yet then? It’s been ages. On the other hand the naval rafale deal has been reached much quickly and progress is taking place.

First flight for Tejas MK2 will take place in a couple of years so then Rafale is no longer needed. With the single engine fighter competition the moment Tejas MK1A program met the technology and capabilities that they wanted the single engine fighter was cancelled.

 

[NSR]

Boss, if we scale down MRFA to 100 aircraft, that is still a substantial-enough number for local production, and we can shoe-horn a bunch of ToT. Moreover, the large order would also give us enough leverage to integrate indigenous weapons.

A smaller order gets us no ToT, no local production, limited indigenous weapon integration, and doesn't help the squadron number problem.

Anant, France/Dassault/Safran are crafty and shifty and very shady in what they say and what they do.
See they already got 36 Rafales and delivered, and now 26 Rafale-Ms, for a total of 62.
Original MMRCA contract is for 126
Okay they can take another 64 Rafale contract and do what you say they would have to do.
But I doubt their true intentions - they just want to take over DRAL and assemble them and then get out of the country.

 

[NSR]

It is obvious that they will loot . They looted us for a low tech upgrades to mirage 2000 with hal officials way back and it no secret that they will milk the last straw out of us because it would be the last such instances even if they have to attach some rafale watches with the rafale jets .

Absolutely true conclusions and they will do it again too.

 

[Pink Panther]

mrfa is progressing bcoz of tata? Not buying it.
Tata started working on helicopters from 2008 itself I believe. So why haven't they become an alternative yet?

yes if they make F21 or F15 or F/A-18.

 

[Pink Panther]

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

we could make NGAD's also if US allows and agrees.

 

[Pad UwU]

F15, Gripen-E and Typhoon can access Indian, European, and American weapons.

True👍
Because of their sp called NATO alliance of like minded countries 😹😹😹...

Being a member has it perks... Whether they drag you in trouble or you drag them instead into oblivion

 

[Anant]

Anant, France/Dassault/Safran are crafty and shifty and very shady in what they say and what they do.
See they already got 36 Rafales and delivered, and now 26 Rafale-Ms, for a total of 62.
Original MMRCA contract is for 126
Okay they can take another 64 Rafale contract and do what you say they would have to do.
But I doubt their true intentions - they just want to take over DRAL and assemble them and then get out of the country.

The original MMRCA contract did not include aircraft for the Navy, so if you are looking at it from that perspective, we'd need 90 aircraft now. That said, Dassault has maintained for a very long time that local production will only be on the table for an order of atleast 100 aircraft. It was a similar thing that led to us missing out on local production of the Mirage 2000 thanks to Khangress.

I am not saying Dassault is an angel. They aren't, and there is no denying we got robbed on the Mirage 2000 upgrade contract. However, unfortunately, as best I see it, we don't have any other options left to us unless we are willing to see the IAF shrink to a historical low in numbers.

Oh, and it doesn't have to be the Rafale, even though the Rafale has a head-start. Any aircraft will do. However, MRFA is needed.

 

[Anant]

$30-$35Mln for only 114 aircrafts is ridiculous, if MOD uses it's brain they could get 250 4th gen aircrafts for that money.

They couldn't, even if they tried. Fifth generation fighters are pretty expensive. For instance, look at Czechia's F-35 purchase.

They purchased 24 F-35s for around 5.6 billion USD. That comes to just over 233 million USD per aircraft. This figure doesn't include weapon systems or training. Add in weapon systems, and you are looking at a price tag of 275-ish million USD.

 

[Pink Panther]

They couldn't, even if they tried. Fifth generation fighters are pretty expensive. For instance, look at Czechia's F-35 purchase.

They purchased 24 F-35s for around 5.6 billion USD. That comes to just over 233 million USD per aircraft. This figure doesn't include weapon systems or training. Add in weapon systems, and you are looking at a price tag of 275-ish million USD.

We are buying 26 4th gen jets for $6Bln when they are buying 24 world’s only mass produced 5th gen fighter jet.

 

[shauryaman65]

They couldn't, even if they tried. Fifth generation fighters are pretty expensive. For instance, look at Czechia's F-35 purchase.

They purchased 24 F-35s for around 5.6 billion USD. That comes to just over 233 million USD per aircraft. This figure doesn't include weapon systems or training. Add in weapon systems, and you are looking at a price tag of 275-ish million USD.

Wrong

When the US State Department approved the sale to the Czech Republic in June 2023, the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) covered the aircraft, air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, spares, training, and support for an estimated USD5. 62 billion, while the actual cost quoted by the Czech MoD is USD 4.57 billion.

 

[harihara]

hi guys am pretty new to our defence related things i juats have a question
What are the chances of MRFA becoming an actual deal and if so when can we expect the goverment to give orders through MRFA.