The Indian Air Force (IAF) is still in the process of completing the Request for Proposal (RFP) for its long-pending project to acquire 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), a Ministry of Defence (MoD) official confirmed recently.
This crucial procurement, designed to significantly enhance India's air combat power, has faced delays since the initial Request for Information (RFI) was released several years ago.
The primary cause of the delay is the IAF's ongoing work on finalizing the RFP. The RFP is a comprehensive document that outlines all the technical specifications, performance parameters, and contractual terms that potential vendors must meet. It serves as the foundation for the entire bidding process.
Before the procurement can proceed, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) must grant an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). This approval is mandatory for all significant defence acquisitions. However, the MoD cannot request the AoN until the IAF completes the draft RFP.
A key requirement for the IAF is the comprehensive field evaluation of all aircraft that are offered in response to the tender. This means each competing fighter jet will undergo extensive testing in Indian operating conditions, ensuring that the chosen aircraft meets the IAF's demanding operational needs. These trials typically assess aircraft performance in various climates and terrains, mimicking real-world scenarios.
After the RFP is finalized and submitted to the MoD, the Ministry will then seek the required financial and strategic approvals from other relevant government ministries.
There is a strong emphasis on ensuring a procurement process that is characterized by transparency and efficiency, aiming to avoid the complications that have affected previous defence deals in India.
The MRFA program is crucial for maintaining India's air superiority in the face of evolving regional security challenges. The program falls under the "Buy (Global-Manufacture in India)" category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, which emphasizes indigenization. The selected foreign vendor will need to partner with an Indian company to manufacture a significant portion of the aircraft within India.
It is become very urgent for IAF and MOD for finalizing the MRFA tender to maintain India's well defended skies.
Some of potentional aircrafts are - Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15EX, Dassault Aviation's Rafale, Saab's Gripen E/F, Lockheed Martin's F-21 (a variant of the F-16), and potentially aircraft from Russian manufacturers.
