India Could Save $3 Billion by Choosing F-15 Over Rafale in MRFA Tender as Israel Bought it for $208 Million Per Unit

Israel's recent acquisition of 25 F-15 fighter jets from Boeing for $5.2 billion has sparked a debate in India: could the Indian Air Force (IAF) secure a better deal by opting for the F-15 over the Dassault Rafale in its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender?

Israel's deal translates to a per-unit cost of approximately $208 million for each F-15, inclusive of infrastructure, logistics, and training. This figure is significantly lower than the estimated $236 million per unit cost of the 36 Rafale jets India acquired in 2016.

The IAF's MRFA tender aims to procure 114 multi-role fighter aircraft. If India were to acquire Rafales at the same per-unit cost as the 2016 deal, the total expenditure would be a staggering $26.9 billion.

However, if the IAF were to choose the F-15 at the same per-unit cost as Israel's deal, the estimated cost for 114 aircraft would be around $23.7 billion, potentially saving India over $3 billion.

Key Considerations​

• F-15 Advantages: Known for its high thrust-to-weight ratio, superior payload capacity, and long-range capabilities, making it a formidable platform for air superiority and strike missions.
• Rafale Advantages: Already operational within the IAF, offering advanced multirole capabilities with a focus on ease of maintenance, survivability, and interoperability. Choosing the Rafale would also streamline logistics and reduce pilot retraining requirements.

The Final Decision​

While the potential cost savings associated with the F-15 are substantial, the IAF's decision will likely involve a complex evaluation of various factors, including:

• Customization and Technology Transfer: The extent to which each platform can be customized to meet India's specific requirements and the potential for technology transfer and local production partnerships.
• Long-term Operational Costs: A comprehensive assessment of maintenance, spare parts, and lifecycle costs for both aircraft.
• Geopolitical Considerations: The strategic implications of choosing an American platform (F-15) versus a French platform (Rafale).

Ultimately, the IAF will need to carefully weigh the cost-benefit analysis of each aircraft to determine which best meets its operational needs and long-term strategic objectives. This decision will have a profound impact on India's defence capabilities for decades to come.

 

[Akshat]

But does F15 pricing includes weapons too & Indian inhence package infrastructure etc which also needs to be taken into consideration & will USA put riders like not to be used for nuclear attacks or against particular counties etc which limits IAF Powers which is not case for Rafael aircrafts & whatever descision should be fast tracked as first aircraft will arrive only after 3/4 years of deal signed

No it doesn’t. The F15 deal just has Vulcan canons and missile launchers (not missiles). I doubt that can be considered as weapons.

 

[Akshat]

Going by the raw specs, F-15EX dominates every thing that is not 5th gen. It has the best radar other than F-35. It is the fastest jet. It has 22 hardpoints which can carry 13 tons of armament, which is the more than any fighter jet. It has advanced cockpit with 360° vision so pilot can be always aware. One of the best EW systems with one of the best IRST system. Since it is twin seater, the backseat can be used to control drones. So much better than anything else in below 5th gen, if it wasn't for geopolitical issues with US, along with cost, it would have been utterly idiotic not to buy them.

Well we saw in Libya how F18 and UK planes refused to go in without EE while Rafale was going all alone. So I doubt that F15 has the best EW. Also, it has a very inferior weapons package. Meteor dominates every other BVRAAM out there.

 

[मित्र]

Going by the raw specs, F-15EX dominates every thing that is not 5th gen. It has the best radar other than F-35. It is the fastest jet. It has 22 hardpoints which can carry 13 tons of armament, which is the more than any fighter jet. It has advanced cockpit with 360° vision so pilot can be always aware. One of the best EW systems with one of the best IRST system. Since it is twin seater, the backseat can be used to control drones. So much better than anything else in below 5th gen, if it wasn't for geopolitical issues with US, along with cost, it would have been utterly idiotic not to buy them.

You said, second pilot can control drone, whats the basis of that? Was it tested ever on F15 ? In that way Su30MKI also twin seat and can control drones, main question is integration and testing of such systems.

 

[Akshay]

Bold move needs to be taken to Scrap MRFA and put all that money in building Production lines for Tejas Mk1A and future MK2...

If there is engine delay, Frames can be built beforehand... So that timeline doesn't extend much further...

A bold and robust plan needs to taken to get rid of this sticky problem

 

[PKPRS]

How can something which is already L1 come down further?

That was 8 years and for F3, now we need to add inflation cost, also GE engine won’t be given for free, Rafale-M is in AB1 state and the negotiating team’s rear are burnt beyond repair.

 

[Kira]

No, this is only a benchmark for comparison, nothing more. Why? For one, Israel isn't building aircraft locally, so that premium hasn't been factored in. Secondly, Israel already operates a massive F-15 fleet, so a lot of maintenance and support infrastructure is already in place, and wouldn't be purchased again.

Oh, and a very shabbily-done comparison. The price of the Rafales was 236.11 million USD back in 2016. Adjust that to French inflation, and that comes to about 272.80 million USD today.

Also, I believe lots of munitions will be included in this deal as Israel has expended a ton of munitions in over a year operations against Hamas and Hezbollah.Those costs will also need to be factored in.

 

[WarTech]

Well we saw in Libya how F18 and UK planes refused to go in without EE while Rafale was going all alone. So I doubt that F15 has the best EW. Also, it has a very inferior weapons package. Meteor dominates every other BVRAAM out there.

F-15EX is far different from the planes you mentioned, as it is rather new with new systems in place. It has AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS, which is far better than that of Rafale's Spectra.
AIM-158 JASSM has the range of 370 km while AIM-158B JASSM-ER has the range of 926 km, which easily outranges Meteor's paltry 200 km range.

 

[WarTech]

You said, second pilot can control drone, whats the basis of that? Was it tested ever on F15 ? In that way Su30MKI also twin seat and can control drones, main question is integration and testing of such systems.

Yes, Boeing was considering testing the CCA drones (loyal wingman) drones on the back. While we don't know how far it has gone (after all it'll be secretive), it has much higher chance to do that than Su-30MKI, which hasn't considered that ever.

 

[RG]

It would be hillarious if India selects any US fighter after GE engine issue.

 

[Sridhar]

F-15EX is the best jet that is not 5th gen. But we have geopolitics to consider. But maintenance will be easy if we go with Rafael, but backlogs are the issue.

The whole world knows that F15EX is not a 5th Gen fighter jet. The discussion is about 114 jets which IAF needs badly.