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.

 

[Akshat]

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.

1. Too expensive.
2. IAF not interested.
3. HAL can’t roll out one and you want parallel testing with multiple prototypes 😂😂 And even if we assume that can be done, IAF chief has said that even with 6 MRFA squadrons and all other HAL programs meeting deadline, which they have already missed, they will be short on planes. So not viable.

 

[Akshat]

using the fear of external threats to sell foreign maal
Similar to how Pakistani military gives excuses to itz citizens

We are ready to buy desi maal. Where are the trainers ordered by IAF?

 

[Pink Panther]

But we were discussing 36 Rafale for 10 billions. That was your statement, no?

Rafale-M still only comes only in F3R standard as of today, they are still working on F4 upgrade, definitely no F4.2 or F5, which explains why the price is only $273Mln each, also there are no details about if there are any India specific changes like in the IAF variant Rafale C.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

MRFA will be talked about for next 2-3 years but nothing will happen. As soon Tejas MK II is ready and AMCA shows good progress, MRFA will be forgotten.

 

[Indian1]

Rafale-M still only comes only in F3R standard as of today, they are still working on F4 upgrade, definitely no F4.2 or F5, which explains why the price is only $273Mln each, also there are no details about if there are any India specific changes like in the IAF variant Rafale C.

$273 million each for a 4g fighter!!! Much better combat proven and more advanced US made carrier based jets are available for $85 million.

 

[Indian1]

Neither the mrfa nor the indigenous fighter will come.

 

[Pink Panther]

$273 million each for a 4g fighter!!! Much better combat proven and more advanced US made carrier based jets are available for $85 million.

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.

 

[Mridul baruah]

Requirement realised in 2001 and after 23 years still no MRFA.

 

[Akshat]

Rafale-M still only comes only in F3R standard as of today, they are still working on F4 upgrade, definitely no F4.2 or F5, which explains why the price is only $273Mln each, also there are no details about if there are any India specific changes like in the IAF variant Rafale C.

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.

 

[Sandeep]

India should scrap the MRFA competition because it will cost over $25 billion which is too expensive. Before they even start production it will take around 3 years to build the facility and production lines and we will have to rely and import certain parts and technology that only dassault will provide. But Dassault also has a massive backlog of orders and it won't be able to provide those parts or technology for at least over 5 years. India needs to focus more on developing and manufacturing our indigenous jets and missiles so that we are self reliant and we don't have to keep on making expensive imports.

Also the Air Force has a number of other purchases and upgrades like 200 Tejas MK1A, upcoming Tejas MK2, Super Sukhoi upgrade program, Mig 29 upgrades, Mirage 2000 upgrade or buy some older but modern jets to increase our squadron strength and numbers. They also need to buy more SAM like the S400, Akash/Akash NG, MR-SAM, QRSAM, ballistic missile defence etc.

 

[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...