India's Fighter Jet Dilemma: Does AMCA Signal the End of the MRFA?

The Indian government's recent green light for the ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program has sparked renewed debate about the long-delayed Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender.

This tender aims to procure 114 fighter jets from foreign manufacturers. Despite mounting pressure to abandon the MRFA in favor of indigenous production, sources close to the program suggest that scrapping the tender remains unlikely.

The MRFA: A Protracted Process​

The MRFA tender, designed to bolster India's dwindling fighter squadrons, has drawn interest from global aerospace giants. Each offers advanced aircraft to fulfill the Indian Air Force's (IAF) needs.

Yet, the tender's progress has been frustratingly slow. It remains stalled at the pre-Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) stage, leaving the IAF with a troubling shortage of fighter jets while domestic options like the AMCA and Tejas MkII remain under development.

The IAF strongly backs the MRFA's plan for 114 jets to be built in India with technology transfers. But the lack of a finalized deal signals a potentially lengthy journey to completion.

Alternative Paths: Government-to-Government Deals​

Amid this bureaucratic tangle, India's government isn't ruling out alternatives, specifically government-to-government (G2G) purchases.

This route could see India acquiring fighters directly from a favored manufacturer, like Dassault Aviation and its Rafale aircraft.

A G2G deal could significantly speed up procurement, providing the IAF with much-needed reinforcements.

AMCA: The Future vs. The Urgent Need​

The AMCA represents India's bold technological leap towards defence self-sufficiency. However, the IAF's urgent operational requirements must also be met. Calls to cancel the MRFA and focus entirely on domestic production ignore this immediate crisis.

A G2G deal needs careful analysis. India must balance cost, the fighter's capabilities compared to other MRFA contenders, and how it dovetails with India's long-term defence goals. The choice must prioritize combat effectiveness, dependable support, and affordability.

Conclusion​

The AMCA's approval highlights India's determination to build its own cutting-edge defence technology. Yet, the MRFA tender's uncertainty and the IAF's dwindling combat power create a complex dilemma.

The Indian government must navigate a delicate path, balancing future aspirations with the immediate necessity to bolster its air power. The final decision will have far-reaching implications for the IAF's capabilities and India's defence industry.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Bro the problem is u r taking an optimistic timeline of LCA mk2 but not of MRFA. Alright let me give u an optimistic timeline of MRFA. This year only IAF moves the AoN, negotiations takes a year and we move forward to production of let's say just 10 MRFA / year but the line isn't established so we get imported 2 sq. of winners. That's it now!? Right!? Lala land sounds so cool

do you know that right now rafale production is less than 15 jets a year, when first production started in 1997? There is currently an order backlog of over 220 jets. So imagine what would happen when India places order for 114 jets. Most parts would have to be imported including engine. Just imagine how much later those parts deliveries will happen. This in contrast to Indian jets. Indian jets dont have any other orders, so entire production line will work for india only. If 10 billion dollar investment is made, production can easily be upgraded to over 20 a year in 5 years, this is because HAL will gove orders to its suppliers who will inturn ramp up their own production, thus it takes time. The crucial thing for all this is that orders need to be placed.

 

[Pink Panther]

When all the engineer drawings, testing and technology development of AMCA made like bulkheads, and so on why you have doubts about it.

Because India has a public Enterprise named HAL.

 

[Pad UwU]

Best option would be to get a cheapest 4th gen jet and make 150-200 of them instead of just 114, this is the only way squadron strength decline will stablize.

F15ex best option for twin engine of Eurofighter as complimentary fighter with rafale like NATO members are doing

 

[Pad UwU]

I think repeat order will exclude €1.8 billions for ISE and infrastructure,training cost that is already developed for two squadrons each at ambala and Hashimara .

Nah if we buy more of same unit it'll need more manpower, secure supply chain, maintenance and facilities plus more.... Why exclude a budget to cheapout your defense needs🤔🧐🤭

 

[Pink Panther]

F15ex best option for twin engine of Eurofighter as complimentary fighter with rafale like NATO members are doing

We don’t know how much it is going to cost.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

When all the engineer drawings, testing and technology development of AMCA made like bulkheads, and so on why you have doubts about it.

Because all people who are familiar with DRDO and ADA know that it is one thing to claim to claim everything is ready (when in fact they are not) and then when it comes to delivery dates, come up with all sorts of excuses. Their shady history and messed up track record stand as testimony to their capabilities!

 

[desigandu]

MRFA will/should happen and looks like Rafale (even if expensive) will be the choice - but given current constraints of supply (12-20 max can be built by Dassault) unless there is a new line in India that can also build 12-20 per year say starting 2028 (if we finalize the deal in 2025) we will be behind the curve...Given the timelines of AMCA and Tejas-Mk2, we need these fighters quickly...Fastest will be a G2G deal concluded in early 2025 with work starting after Modiji wins the 3rd term...P-75Is/TKMS/Germany and MRFA/Rafales/France should both be G2G as they can get done fast, but these should be the last foreign SSKs/Fighters Bharat should get.

 

[Ashutosh]

indigeous content of LCA Mk1A is more than 60% and will go to 70% after radars, etc are ready for mass production. Sukhoi is not indigenous at all. Most parts are imported, the design is russian. Reason why JF17 is considered pakis even though most parts are chinese or russian because it is designed by pakistan.

Bro get the facts, JF 17 is a Chinese design, plane but a Pakistani effort.

Sukhois soon would be 80% indigenous....much more than LCA

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Bro get the facts, JF 17 is a Chinese design, plane but a Pakistani effort.

Sukhois soon would be 80% indigenous....much more than LCA

Pakistan has F-16 and JF-17 design is inspired by that. If you look at chinese air force, they dont have any jets that look like that. Chinese jet design philosophy is more soviet and russian, while Indian jet design philosophy is french.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Bro get the facts, JF 17 is a Chinese design, plane but a Pakistani effort.

Sukhois soon would be 80% indigenous....much more than LCA

lol, sukhois have russian and israeli radar, and most other avionics are also either russian or israeli. the 2 engines are also russian. Most of the weapons used are also russian or israeli. Yet you call it 80% indigenous in few years???? How?

 

[Ashutosh]

lol, sukhois have russian and israeli radar, and most other avionics are also either russian or israeli. the 2 engines are also russian. Most of the weapons used are also russian or israeli. Yet you call it 80% indigenous in few years???? How?

Those Russian parts are being manufactured with indigenous content. A lot of Russian parts are replaced by indigenous parts.

IAF chief has himself confirmed that it would be 78% indigenous: can give u link.

HAL already has said it would be 78% indigenous.

 

[Ashutosh]

Pakistan has F-16 and JF-17 design is inspired by that. If you look at chinese air force, they dont have any jets that look like that. Chinese jet design philosophy is more soviet and russian, while Indian jet design philosophy is french.

Chinese mixed the mig 21 and IAI design, it's already known bro.... update urself.

 

[Ashutosh]

do you know that right now rafale production is less than 15 jets a year, when first production started in 1997? There is currently an order backlog of over 220 jets. So imagine what would happen when India places order for 114 jets. Most parts would have to be imported including engine. Just imagine how much later those parts deliveries will happen. This in contrast to Indian jets. Indian jets dont have any other orders, so entire production line will work for india only. If 10 billion dollar investment is made, production can easily be upgraded to over 20 a year in 5 years, this is because HAL will gove orders to its suppliers who will inturn ramp up their own production, thus it takes time. The crucial thing for all this is that orders need to be placed.

They will be 50% indigenous....just as I said stop having optimistic thoughts about indigenous program and pessimistic thoughts about MRFA

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Those Russian parts are being manufactured with indigenous content. A lot of Russian parts are replaced by indigenous parts.

IAF chief has himself confirmed that it would be 78% indigenous: can give u link.

HAL already has said it would be 78% indigenous.

from what I have seen, right now 50% parts are indian, while it will be increased to 60% for future order of 12 units.

 

[Ashutosh]

from what I have seen, right now 50% parts are indian, while it will be increased to 60% for future order of 12 units.

And 78% after upgrade so......it soon would be more Indian then Russian....the Russian parts would be son gone.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

And 78% after upgrade so......it soon would be more Indian then Russian....the Russian parts would be son gone.

that upgrade is not even on paper right now, it is just a theory. There are no agreements yet.

 

[Ashutosh]

that upgrade is not even on paper right now, it is just a theory. There are no agreements yet.

DAC approved the upgrade already.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

DAC approved the upgrade already.

that was an acceptance of necessity. Right now the proposal itself is not ready- what stuff will be upgraded, what will be replaced etc. Permission of russia will also need to be taken. AoN means that the process can begin. Also the package is for 84 aircraft, whiich is a fraction of our sukhois.

 

[Ashutosh]

that was an acceptance of necessity. Right now the proposal itself is not ready- what stuff will be upgraded, what will be replaced etc. Permission of russia will also need to be taken. AoN means that the process can begin. Also the package is for 84 aircraft, whiich is a fraction of our sukhois.

What I meant to say is Su30 is already on its way to be 80% indigenous while I see no sign of LCA.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

What I meant to say is Su30 is already on its way to be 80% indigenous while I see no sign of LCA.

LCA is also going that way, now we have the engines for it also being made in India with 80% ToT. same cant be said for russian engines for Su-30