India's MRFA Program Faces Delays, Could Impact Air Force Readiness

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) ambitious Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, intended to procure 114 new fighter jets, is facing significant delays, raising concerns about the potential impact on the IAF's combat readiness.

The MRFA program, initiated in 2018, aimed to replace the aging fleet of MiG-21 and MiG-27 fighter aircraft. However, progress has been slow, with the latest update from Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari in October 2023 providing little indication of substantial advancement.

Based on the complexities involved in such a large-scale defense procurement, including the selection process, contract negotiation, and the integration of indigenous weaponry under the "Make in India" initiative, a finalized deal and the first deliveries of the MRFA are not expected before 2030.

This timeline is in line with previous experiences, such as the acquisition of 36 Rafale jets from France. Despite the initial agreement being signed in 2016, the first deliveries only occurred in late 2019, with the entire fleet arriving by December 2022 – a process that took over six years.

The MRFA program faces several additional hurdles. The selection process itself is complex, with eight contenders vying for the contract. Negotiating a contract with a foreign manufacturer or government can be a lengthy process, especially when considering the intricacies of technology transfer and production under the "Make in India" initiative.

Even with an optimistic timeline of a signed deal by 2026, the first MRFA delivery is unlikely to occur before 2029. This delay could significantly impact the IAF's combat readiness, as its existing fleet continues to age.

To mitigate the potential impact of these delays, experts suggest that the IAF could explore options for quicker acquisition of fighter jets alongside the pursuit of the MRFA program. This could involve considering off-the-shelf purchases of existing fighter aircraft or leasing options, while the long-term MRFA program continues.

The delay in the MRFA program underscores the challenges inherent in large-scale defense procurements. The IAF's ability to maintain its combat readiness in the face of these delays will be a critical test of its strategic planning and adaptability.

 

[Pramkumar]

MRFA will kill the indigenous fighters. Better for India is cancel this project and invest the amount in Kaveri Engine, and other equipment for the fighters.

 

[Anant]

MRFA will kill the indigenous fighters. Better for India is cancel this project and invest the amount in Kaveri Engine, and other equipment for the fighters.

Uh, no. MRFA won't kill indigenous fighter programs.

The fact remains that today, our indigenous aircraft development and production establishment cannot achieve a rate of production that is sufficient to ensure the IAF stays anywhere near the outdated 42 squadron target, let alone a more modern 51 squadron target.

MRFA is a quantitative necessity. Those 6 sqaudrons would be a kry bridge in ensuring we have a decent level of strength as we see the retirements of the Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage 2000 in the next decade and local aircraft coming in ro replace them.

In the present scenario, without MRFA, we have little chance of reaching 42 squadrons until the mid-2040s, and as we then start seeing older Su-30MKIs and possibly Tejas Mk 1As coming for retirement, staying there will be just as hard. With MRFA, we can reach 42 squadrons by the late 2030s or so, and maintain a decent chance at maintaining 42 squadrons in the 2040s, and maybe even move towards 51 squadrons.

 

[Akshat]

MRFA will kill the indigenous fighters. Better for India is cancel this project and invest the amount in Kaveri Engine, and other equipment for the fighters.

So much money was given for Kaveri. They are ready to give more as well. Same for other indigenous fighters. GoI is ready to give money. But what to do about HAL and DRDO who are wasting money by truckloads without delivering anything?

 

[Sir Capt]

We hope to see this in our lifetime and before Mandarin is an official language.

 

[Sentoki]

Please stop with this click bait articles until some concrete action happens with regarding the MRFA program.

After, June 4th, i expect that MRFA will be scrapped and most likely, Tejas Mk1A & MK2 will be dual sourced from L1 & L2 vendors like Project Zorawar to fast track rebuilding our squadron strength. DRDO/HAL will be forced to share the IP/manufacturing BOM with a second vendor like Adani Defense for dual sourcing.

 

[Pink Panther]

MRFA will kill the indigenous fighters. Better for India is cancel this project and invest the amount in Kaveri Engine, and other equipment for the fighters.

it depends what fighter jet we buy for MRFA, any 4th gen jets other than heavy SU-35 or F15 will kill local products, as we have the local technology to make a 4th gen fighter jet comparable to others.

 

[Pink Panther]

Uh, no. MRFA won't kill indigenous fighter programs.

The fact remains that today, our indigenous aircraft development and production establishment cannot achieve a rate of production that is sufficient to ensure the IAF stays anywhere near the outdated 42 squadron target, let alone a more modern 51 squadron target.

MRFA is a quantitative necessity. Those 6 sqaudrons would be a kry bridge in ensuring we have a decent level of strength as we see the retirements of the Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage 2000 in the next decade and local aircraft coming in ro replace them.

In the present scenario, without MRFA, we have little chance of reaching 42 squadrons until the mid-2040s, and as we then start seeing older Su-30MKIs and possibly Tejas Mk 1As coming for retirement, staying there will be just as hard. With MRFA, we can reach 42 squadrons by the late 2030s or so, and maintain a decent chance at maintaining 42 squadrons in the 2040s, and maybe even move towards 51 squadrons.

buying MRFA jets within the budget is also necessary, we already spent $10Bln to buy only 36 jets which I think was biggest blunder, if we could have bought the originally planned 126 jet at that time we wouldn’t be in this precarious situation.

 

[Akshat]

buying MRFA jets within the budget is also necessary, we already spent $10Bln to buy only 36 jets which I think was biggest blunder, if we could have bought the originally planned 126 jet at that time we wouldn’t be in this precarious situation.

Well we have to buy the cheapest jets like last time once again. Massive discounts and amazing offsets. We need to repeat the miracle like the 36 Rafales once again.

 

[Akshat]

it depends what fighter jet we buy for MRFA, any 4th gen jets other than heavy SU-35 or F15 will kill local products, as we have the local technology to make a 4th gen fighter jet comparable to others.

Yet our 8 trainer Tejas planes await delivery till now.

 

[Pink Panther]

Well we have to buy the cheapest jets like last time once again. Massive discounts and amazing offsets. We need to repeat the miracle like the 36 Rafales once again.

I doubt we can even buy another 36 Rafale F4 for another $10Bln this time, if it happens then it will be a real miracle.

 

[Pink Panther]

Yet our 8 trainer Tejas planes await delivery till now.

Because IAF doesn’t want them till they get MRFA jets, so they are asking HAL to add many features and make many changes to cause delays, they know very well that once they start getting Tejas in full stream MOD will pull the plug on MRFA funding.

 

[Frank]

reminder

1) Order 300 Tejas mk2 and cancel phoren maal MRFA...

The delivery timeline will be same anyway, start from 2030

Plus price of 300 mk2<<<<104 rafale

300mk2 ORDER WILL BE DEVIDED 50:50 BETWEEN HAL AND PRIVATE COMAPNY)

 

[Frank]

Uh, no. MRFA won't kill indigenous fighter programs.

The fact remains that today, our indigenous aircraft development and production establishment cannot achieve a rate of production that is sufficient to ensure the IAF stays anywhere near the outdated 42 squadron target, let alone a more modern 51 squadron target.

MRFA is a quantitative necessity. Those 6 sqaudrons would be a kry bridge in ensuring we have a decent level of strength as we see the retirements of the Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage 2000 in the next decade and local aircraft coming in ro replace them.

In the present scenario, without MRFA, we have little chance of reaching 42 squadrons until the mid-2040s, and as we then start seeing older Su-30MKIs and possibly Tejas Mk 1As coming for retirement, staying there will be just as hard. With MRFA, we can reach 42 squadrons by the late 2030s or so, and maintain a decent chance at maintaining 42 squadrons in the 2040s, and maybe even move towards 51 squadrons.

copied

i expect that MRFA will be scrapped and most likely, Tejas Mk1A & MK2 will be dual sourced from L1 & L2 vendors like Project Zorawar to fast track rebuilding our squadron strength. DRDO/HAL will be forced to share the IP/manufacturing BOM with a second vendor like Adani Defense for dual sourcing.

 

[Akshat]

Because IAF doesn’t want them till they get MRFA jets, so they are asking HAL to add many features and make many changes to cause delays, they know very well that once they start getting Tejas in full stream MOD will pull the plug on MRFA funding.

Which change was asked for in the trainer? Show me a single one. All of them are off the same FOC level

 

[De_SECULARISED]

MRFA will kill the indigenous fighters. Better for India is cancel this project and invest the amount in Kaveri Engine, and other equipment for the fighters.

Need stop gap solution alternatives,

1. go for additional SU30 with indigenous super Sukhoi upgrade package.
2. contact Russia for additional mig29 in reserve.
3. Make additional Tejas MK2 prototypes for PARALLEL & QUICKER test cycles under direct supervision of PMO, with funding assurance on reaching benchmarks.

 

[Boomeranger]

copied

i expect that MRFA will be scrapped and most likely, Tejas Mk1A & MK2 will be dual sourced from L1 & L2 vendors like Project Zorawar to fast track rebuilding our squadron strength. DRDO/HAL will be forced to share the IP/manufacturing BOM with a second vendor like Adani Defense for dual sourcing.

HAHAHAHAHA... NEVER EVER!! If MRFA be scrapped then IAF will float a S-MRCA Stealth MRCA tender next: for KF21 ; F15EX ; SU57 and Rafale F5 jets....

 

[Anant]

reminder

1) Order 300 Tejas mk2 and cancel phoren maal MRFA...

The delivery timeline will be same anyway, start from 2030

Plus price of 300 mk2<<<<104 rafale

300mk2 ORDER WILL BE DEVIDED 50:50 BETWEEN HAL AND PRIVATE COMAPNY)

Either provide the correct math for that statement or just shut up. Don't spread misinformation.

 

[Boomeranger]

While HAL requires to manufacture at least 36 Tejas fighter jets per year, just in order to help IAF combat fleet scarcity- current rate of HAL Tejas manufacturing is around only 3.6 jets per year! If MRFA gets scrapped then 1000000000% IAF will float a NEW Stealth-MRCA I am 100% sure; as they DO VERY BADLY require very high quality of imported foreign minus 5th gen. and 5th gen. jets soon!

 

[Boomeranger]

reminder

1) Order 300 Tejas mk2 and cancel phoren maal MRFA...

The delivery timeline will be same anyway, start from 2030

Plus price of 300 mk2<<<<104 rafale

300mk2 ORDER WILL BE DEVIDED 50:50 BETWEEN HAL AND PRIVATE COMAPNY)

hahahahaha.... order 30,000 Tejas MK2 jets also! But, still HAL will manufacture ONLY 4 MK2 jets per year! hehehehehe.... NO ANY pvt company in India wanna risk making full Tejas jets... Dey just wanna be parts suppliers and loot MoD next!