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.

 

[Pink Panther]

Who said we ain’t getting F4 upgrades in RafaleM? Another one of your imaginations? Dassault has said that all planes delivered post 2025 will be F4 standard only.

I already said it is going to get upgraded, but French haven’t ipgraded one Rafale-M to F4.1 so far, not even theirs, they just started upgrading their Rafale C from F3R to F4.1.

 

[Varaaah]

IAF and MoD are specialised in losing wars, it seems. Hence their inability of quick decision making.

 

[Philippe Picard]

This is only base price, we will know the final price when the order is signed officially, Indeed $300Mln for a 4th gen jet. is ridiculous.

so you are only speculate with a biased mind...

 

[Parimal Pandya]

You can not expect anything better to get with the poor quality educational institutions like gutters where everything is polluted wether incoming or outgoing

 

[vamkris]

When china is able to supply j10C with on 1 year to pakistannwhy not other countries like russia and France not able to supply s400 through Chaudhary port and France also very late

 

[vamkris]

Let india but 36 rafael4 and 36 rafael M and then focus on tejas mark1A with ge414 engine and tejasmark2 and amca 1 and amca2 along with tedbf very important to protect Taiwan or Philippines or in getting pok

 

[Akshat]

I already said it is going to get upgraded, but French haven’t ipgraded one Rafale-M to F4.1 so far, not even theirs, they just started upgrading their Rafale C from F3R to F4.1.

They said ‘ALL RAFALES’. No exceptions.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

India need single engine fighters most so we should ink deal with USA allowing Locheed MArtin to make F-36 here in India armed with Laser weapon Pod and buy 60 F-35A through G2G route ! Or make Rafale F-5 with MUT !

 

[Devanshi Sharma]

MRFA is a very well thought program started by IAF. Naturally the selection of jets , focusing on atmanirbharta will take time. Quite accurately pointed out in the discussion here is the target to reach 42 squadrons.
Atmanirbharta doesn't imply that we produce our jets and equipments totally in India. We need to be a relevant player in the global market and that too a strong one. As mentioned in the above article we already have 8 players on the field willing to sell their technology to us. MRFA will make our fleet more powerful, exposing us to the best of the technology to be in future reverse engineered or even be improved.

 

[Boomeranger]

With HAL's maximum manufacturing capacity at just 4 Tejas jets per year, even 226 nos. MRFA dual customer's deal would be very welcome to help IAF grow to 50 squadrons very quickly...

 

[Boomeranger]

MRFA is a very well thought program started by IAF. Naturally the selection of jets , focusing on atmanirbharta will take time. Quite accurately pointed out in the discussion here is the target to reach 42 squadrons.
Atmanirbharta doesn't imply that we produce our jets and equipments totally in India. We need to be a relevant player in the global market and that too a strong one. As mentioned in the above article we already have 8 players on the field willing to sell their technology to us. MRFA will make our fleet more powerful, exposing us to the best of the technology to be in future reverse engineered or even be improved.

ABSOLUTELY need to import 400 nos. of very high quality very deadly potency minus 5th gen. and 5th gen. fighter jets of imported foreign make in India immediately. Then, let HAL take their own sweet time to deliver 1,500 nos. of Tejas MK1A-MK1B-MK2-MWF and ORCA-AMCA-TEDBF fighter jets next...