If Rafale Wins MRFA Tender, IAF May Opt for 90 Jets to Fulfill Original MMRCA Goal of 126

The Indian Air Force (IAF) may be looking to acquire 90 additional Rafale fighter jets if Dassault Aviation’s entry emerges victorious in the ongoing Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) competition.

This revelation comes from a senior IAF official, who indicated that such a move would effectively fulfill the original intent of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, which sought 126 aircraft to address a critical capability gap.

The IAF currently operates 36 Rafale jets, acquired through a government-to-government deal with France in 2016. These aircraft form two squadrons within the IAF. Adding 90 more would bring the total to 126, a figure that has been a long-standing objective since the Kargil War.

The MMRCA program, initiated to bridge the gap between existing fourth-generation fighters and future fifth-generation aircraft, was ultimately scrapped after protracted negotiations. The MRFA tender represents a renewed effort to acquire a modern multi-role fighter for the IAF.

While the MRFA tender has attracted interest from global manufacturers like Boeing (F-15EX and F/A-18 Super Hornet), Lockheed Martin (F-21), Saab (Gripen E), and Eurofighter (Typhoon), the Rafale’s existing presence in the IAF gives it a distinct advantage. Familiarity with the platform, coupled with established logistical and training frameworks, could streamline the procurement and operationalization of additional Rafales.

Furthermore, Dassault Aviation already has a production line dedicated to Indian-spec Rafales, which could be leveraged for a follow-on order. This could potentially reduce costs and lead times compared to establishing new manufacturing facilities for a different aircraft type.

However, the final decision will depend on various factors, including cost, technology transfer, and indigenous production opportunities. The IAF will carefully evaluate all bids before making a selection.

 

[AK S]

I would disagree with that bro. LM is making about 24 F16 annually now (though that might reflect in the next year fully) and have a capacity of 48 (though ramping up to that might be difficult). They have confirmed orders will 2028, that too assuming 24 planes only.

How many Rafale Dassault made this year? Last time I heard they were in single digit in 9 months. That translates to about 1 jet or maybe less in a month.

 

[HIRA LAL PIPRAIYA]

90 nos. of Rafale F4.2 jets will costs $36 Billions usd total deal package in reality....

Can't help. This is the requirement of country not only at present but for long. It has to be fulfilled. Whether it's rafale/Gripen or something else, I personally hardly care. However what I care is infinite delay by the govt.

 

[AK S]

They will deliver this 90 in next 90 yrs 😂

About a decade plus with assembly line in India. But even this is late.

 

[Sandeep]

India won’t go ahead with such a large MRFA programme because it’s far too expensive, we won’t receive any critical and important technology or manufacture most of it indigenously either.

India needs to focus on developing and manufacturing our indigenous jets. We need to sort out the mess and delays for Tejas MK1A and also get the private sector companies to manufacture it on time and to the highest standards. With Tejas MK2 and AMCA we need to quickly finish developing and manufacture the prototypes so that we can certify it and once that is complete we should get several private sector companies to manufacture the jets on time and in large quantities. We should also focus more on developing the AMCA jet because that will be the main backbone of our air force for the next 50+ years.

Another crucial jet program is the TEDBF for our navy as we need to quickly finish developing it as we have a empty carrier and we need more naval jets to grow along with the number and size of our carriers. We will also need to start replacing our Mig 29K jets over the next 10+ years which is to our benefit. Another reason why we need to complete developing and certifying it as soon as possible is so that we can use it for our air force if they wanted a more enhanced jet.

 

[Akshat]

How many Rafale Dassault made this year? Last time I heard they were in single digit in 9 months. That translates to about 1 jet or maybe less in a month.

The total number will be out next year. What has been confirmed is that they are making 2 jets monthly since at least March.

Having said that, your information is patently false. They delivered 6 Rafale to Croatia by April, and 6 have been delivered to French Air Force till now. That’s a total of 12 deliveries this year till August.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

In my oppinion Gripen E is the best choice to fill the fighter fleet very rapidly. Or talk with korean's KF 21, may be they will help us.

It is THE BEST option Now as, a Saab-L&T-HAL jv can produce MK2 and Gripen-E jets using tech's from Tejas programs and together build some 500 nos. of these 2 x SEF jets very easily...

 

[Dredd]

The total number will be out next year. What has been confirmed is that they are making 2 jets monthly since at least March.

Having said that, your information is patently false. They delivered 6 Rafale to Croatia by April, and 6 have been delivered to French Air Force till now. That’s a total of 12 deliveries this year till August.

correction* they are claiming to make 2 jets every month, Real number will be known by early next year

 

[Akshat]

correction* they are claiming to make 2 jets every month, Real number will be known by early next year

Well the statement comes from their CEO during annual con call. So that number is as true as it can get. Unless of course you are claiming that the CEO is defrauding the shareholders, which is a legal offence.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

New govt in USA may support India. Bit we don't know what happens after 4 years. Don't be too dependent on USA for engines or fighter jets. It would be digging your own grave. Better to go for a mix of second hand mirages(if reasonably priced) which can be upgraded by HAL, few squadrons of Rafael and few squadrons of improved SU57.

 

[beencensured]

Even this govt (although better than previous UPA regime) has failed (delayed too much) in procurement of 114 jets in time. Ideally order should have been placed by 2022. Still there seems no hope of placing the order in near future. There is an old saying that a bad decision is better than no decision. However this govt doesn't seem to follow this for procurement of 114 fighters for IAF.

Delay in procuring Tejas is major reason for fiasco. Should have procured at Tejas IOC2, and FOC stage and not make issues it is not perfect as nothing in material world is perfect as all is temporary as if procured then the supply chains would have been set up by now.

 

[PKPRS]

I would disagree with that bro. LM is making about 24 F16 annually now (though that might reflect in the next year fully) and have a capacity of 48 (though ramping up to that might be difficult). They have confirmed orders will 2028, that too assuming 24 planes only.

Dassault makes 1 Dream Rafale and one real Rafale/month, 24 Rafales/year, 12 Dream/12 Real Rafales/Year.

 

[PKPRS]

correction* they are claiming to make 2 jets every month, Real number will be known by early next year

Last year they made only 13, this year only 10 so far, it is already November.

 

[PKPRS]

I think like they ended the MMRCA circus by ordering 2 sqdns of Rafales, IAF should end this MRFA circus by ordering 1 or 2 sqdns more as a face saver and then start a new 5th/6th/7thGFA circus!

Two squadrons will cost $15Bln, but we have to wait till 2040 to get the first 4th gen Rafale when sone Countries will be getting their 8th gen Aircraft.

 

[Abs29]

Not at all. Even if assuming that you are correct than also responsibility for delay lies on govt. Why govt couldn't push IAF for faster decision as was the case of 36 rafale procurement. As full credit goes to govt for fastest possible decision with respect to 36 rafale procurement, discredit also should go to govt for lethargic attitude in 114 procurement.

Not quite! The point that IAF is responsible for no procurement is also correct. Between 2017-19, the government proposed to exercise its contract options and undertake trenched procurement of 50-70 additional Rafale. They would have been ordered in batches, but IAF shot down the proposal and insisted on procurement of all aircraft at once. However the government never had funding for such extravagant order and neither does it have now. So yes IAF does indeed hold some respobsibility for the procurement deadlock.

 

[Indian1]

Is $267 million Rafale better than $54 million Su 57?

 

[Techy]

What's the need to buy such over hyped fighter at thrice the price. Selecting 2-3 fighters from different countries would mean faster delivery and lower price. I think 45 SU-35 and 45 Euro fighter typhoon and additional SU 30 MKI's would serve our purpose till the time we manufacture AMCA. Lastly we should look for alternatives for GE404 engines for LCA if USA is not reliable.

 

[Manoj Kumar]

Think 20 years a head what we require in the morden war scenario then decide. When all are producing and developing 5 th and 6 th generation we are just planning (not yet decided) to buy 4.5 generation.

 

[PKPRS]

With Chinese what ever they say rest assured you can take their statements with a bucket of salt.

We don’t want to assume blindly that Chinese FC-31 is a junk and loose valuable life of Pilot and his Rafale and loosing $350Bln + Renumeration to pilot’s family for his loss of life during duty followed with life long pension paid to his wife or family.

 

[PKPRS]

Well the statement comes from their CEO during annual con call. So that number is as true as it can get. Unless of course you are claiming that the CEO is defrauding the shareholders, which is a legal offence.

then HAL also makes 24/year, HAL also has capacity to make 24 and aspire to make 24 jets/Year but doesn’t even make one jet, it’s the same case with Dassault, aspiration is different from real production rate.

 

[RG]

So they are asking for 5 squadran instead of 6 squardran. Also again 18 per squadran, they should stick with 16 per squadran, that will be 80 not 90

 

[kunites]

Finally IAF is talking sense to procure 90 Rafales.. if combined with 36 already in service and 26 of navy, the total Rafale fleet will be 150+ which is very impressive and will add required punch to IAF until our indigenous MK2 and AMCA mature..but will GOI agree to go with this approach or continue with the MRFA circus is the big question

 

[Anant]

Is $267 million Rafale better than $54 million Su 57?

And who exactly is selling a Su-57 at 54 million USD? The last batch of Su-30MKIs cost us just north if 100 million USD each, and adjusted to inflation, that number would be closer to 130 million today. That figure also included no spares or ground infrastructure or weapons, while the Rafale purchase included all those things too.

Add everything up to bring it to a common platform, and you'll see all these jets are within a few million dollars of each other.

 

[Anant]

Trump is business man and he will push for American fighter jets. America can offer F35 under Trump

You do realise that we weren't offered F-35s during Trump's first term, and that was when our relations were better than they are today, right? There is nothing to indicate we'd be offered F-35s now.