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.

 

[EbenezerPilli#6786]

The US will never agree to complete transfer of technology. They have the ability to control their military equipment remotely which means in case of war India will be left holding the bag. Remember they didn't share GPS coordinates of Pakistan army's positions during kargil war !

 

[VedantaKiran]

The US will never transfer technology. Additionally they will never commit to deadlines and the most dangerous of all is how they will behave if India has a two front war which includes their laptop dog Pakistan

 

[Nagendra simh]

OMG this mrfa deal decision is running like ekta Kapoor's tv serial. In year 2075 Somalia will send there fighter aircraft for mrfa competition.

 

[Nagendra simh]

In 2075, Somalia will be sending its fighter aircraft for the MRFA competition. This is a classic example of over-analysis leading to decision paralysis. It shouldn’t take decades to finalize the MRFA deal—this is absurd. Our air force strength is declining rapidly, highlighting a serious issue with our procurement policy.

 

[Amritpal Singh]

India should acquire 5th,6th generation fighter jets

 

[Sudhir K]

My bet will be to go for additional Su 30 MKI with the latest upgrade package designed by Bharat. Involve the private sector to speeden up the process. Two additional line with 8 aircraft per line will make Bharat formidable

 

[Patriot24]

I am wary of doing business with American companies because they have a history of intertwining politics with business. They have screwed India in the past and we have no reason to believe they won’t do that again. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Biden government has asked them to delay the GE engine deliveries for Tejas, for political reasons. I don’t buy their excuses of supply chain issues.

Despite the $3B savings I say that we stick to the French because Rafale is now a proven and trustworthy platform in our defence and the French have been our friends through thick and thin. They haven’t, once, stabbed us in the back. We can trust them.

 

[Gary]

Look at the MESS we are in. All because the Govt run by civilians is more involved in vote bank politics than the defence of the nation. If there was any Air Chief worth his salt he should have walked out his post and explained to the country the sad state of affairs.

 

[Gary]

My bet will be to go for additional Su 30 MKI with the latest upgrade package designed by Bharat. Involve the private sector to speeden up the process. Two additional line with 8 aircraft per line will make Bharat formidable

We need to get BVR AIr to Air missiles for our Airforce and go in for more SU 30. At this stage beggars cant be choosers.

 

[M DCunha]

Involve the TATA'S, Mahindra's, Ambani's, Adani's, Larsen & Turbo, in the manufacturing of both passenger/cargo aircrafts, fighter jets and various avionics etc. Let them freely choose their partners whether it is Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Saab Gripen,
Rafael, Safran, GE, etc. Govt should introduce a PLI Scheme of around 50 billion dollars and give a three- five year time frame. Costs will be high initially but in long run India will be self dependant. Approximately two to three million jobs will be generated throughout the supply chains. Indian talent and creativity will be put to test and proved to the world that we Indians have the zeal, enthusiasm, will power to do it. The country will be proud if such a decision is taken and will carry the Indian Vision of MAKE IN INDIA. There should be no political or bureaucratic interference in choosing partners. Only needs and wants of our nation should be considered. The government should help provide necessary infrastructure to such companies and their vendors. This is no easy task but a collasal decision in the interest of the nation.

 

[Parthasarathi DasGupta]

Rafale will be much less. Indian Navy is buying 26 at Euro 4 billion. Around 4.5 billion USD. All inclusive including weapons. If 116 pieces them it will be cheaper as bulk discount

 

[C. T. Ramesh]

Similarly su57 better than any other western aircraft.

 

[Anant]

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.

 

[sanket]

India specific enhancement was one Time cost so eventually Rafale will cost less & not 236 Mn$, second it Include Weapon pakage too in 36 Rafale Deal, while in Israel 25 F-15 purchase it lacks,customization in Rafale already happen while in F-15 it would cost more / Xtra apart from weapon package, 26 Rafale M Deal price will make the difference clear, Another thing in fovour of Rafale goes is its Latest design Unlike outdated of F-15 Rafale is more stealthy, Low RCS compare to F-15

 

[Sridhar]

Guess IAF would be better off going with RAFALE because of current 36 no.s with IAF another 2 dozen planned for IN. Ordering additional jets can bring the overall costs down. But F15 EX is a beast and fastest among the jets. Let's see how the deal progress.

 

[Nagachander]

India cannot depend on US F15s. They will not honour the agreement reached. They will delay the delivery, transfer of technology and also ask India to support them in all their activities. Till the delivery India will have to abide whatever they say. So India at all times avoid buying arms as far as possible from US.

 

[sanket]

Rafale will be much less. Indian Navy is buying 26 at Euro 4 billion. Around 4.5 billion USD. All inclusive including weapons. If 116 pieces them it will be cheaper as bulk discount

Thats why i said Rafale M deal will make the price clear, almost similar Numbers Bharat is Buying 26 Rafale M while Israel is buying 25 F-15 jets it will b good to compare, Rafale cost will come down as Bharat have alreay invested for India specific Enhancement plus it also Include weapon package too unlike Israel dont plus Customizations.

 

[desigandu]

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.

If MRFA happens, I think it may be Rafales, provided the cost is not crazy and Bharat assembled jets can start being delivered by 2030…I know we can try to accelerate Tejas Mk2, produce Mk1As faster etc., Rafales are very expensive with slow delivery rates and big backlogs, but we have no good solutions, only bits and pieces…So despite all opinions here we shall see…
Lots of unknowns and variables, but the cost of Rafales-Ms should give some indications if they are signed by early/mid 2025…

 

[Akshat]

Similarly su57 better than any other western aircraft.

Even Russia doesn’t believe that 😂😂

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

WRONG DATA!! Rafale F4.2 will be 181 millions usd base price bare bones costs per unit of jet. 236 millions usd per Rafale F3R jet costs was in 2014 and is NOT valid now - ALSO, it came to 248 millions usd per unit of F3R jet total costs of 8.9 Billions usd ACTUALLY, if one divides total deal price divided by 36 jets...

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

ONLY, Israel gets heavily dicsounted special prices like 208 millions usd per F15E jet in reality. For IAF MRFA, F15EX is the model offered which will be closer to 300 millions+ usd total ops costs actually...

 

[Dr]

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

 

[Tailless Baboon]

If at all,not F15 but F18s are necessary so that with certain modifications both air force and navy can be equipped.
Yet,Rafael is still better if the F4 version is offered to us.
However all these purchases are politically influenced.France appears less tricky. Trump may try some trumpobatics to force us to buy F15 as well as F18s.
I will welcome corrections, suggestions from anybody on this blog.

 

[NSR]

Voodoo Numbers only for both fighters.

India must look at the final RFP response submittals for MRFA for which local manufacturing with TOTs is required.
Responses will ferret out exactly what everyone offers and for what prices.

All the articles before that are just thin air which we can't capture with our hands.

 

[123Stormtrooper]

Bulk order for 114 fighters should significantly reduce cost. Rafale should be shadow banned from MRFA for forcing Bharat to undergo this ordeal again acquisition process again.

 

[Mango_Indian]

What BS!!!

1. Israel operates a fleet of F-15 already so the maintenance cost would be amortized to this incremental increase to its fleet. It will be not comparable to Indian grounds up maintenance and Infra costs for Rafale.
2. Indian Rafale purchase was 8 years back at $ 236 Mill. That’s ~ $ 280 Mill with US inflation from 2016 till date.
3. For 114 MMRCA jets, if contract awarded on next 12 months (😂)…price will be $ 280 Mill X 114 = $ 32 Billion.

Last if India buys 26 Rafale M, total deal value will be near $ 7 - 7.5 Bill not $ 4 - 5 Bill like others are commenting..

 

[Naveen]

In my opinion even if su 57 is not considered as true 5th gen fighter it is more capable than any other existing non 5th gen fighter jets so its better to purchase su57.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

If MRFA happens, I think it may be Rafales, provided the cost is not crazy and Bharat assembled jets can start being delivered by 2030…I know we can try to accelerate Tejas Mk2, produce Mk1As faster etc., Rafales are very expensive with slow delivery rates and big backlogs, but we have no good solutions, only bits and pieces…So despite all opinions here we shall see…
Lots of unknowns and variables, but the cost of Rafales-Ms should give some indications if they are signed by early/mid 2025…

ONLY, Saab Gripen-E and Airbus Typhoon will go into finalists list and Saab will win hands down. JV for L&T-Saab-HAL: jointly build Gripen-E and MK2 jets together with tech's trading into each other. Some 500 nos. of these 2 jets will be built in reality!

 

[vinod nair]

It's apple and oranges comparison. If we want heavy weight ac then why F15 why not from SU30 family.