Why IAF Declined F-35 in MRFA Tender Despite Intense US Promotion

The United States, eager to expand its F-35 fighter jet program, made a concerted effort to entice India into acquiring the advanced aircraft. This interest was made evident at Aero India 2023, where the F-35 was prominently displayed, and officials touted its capabilities.

However, despite this intense pressure, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from India's MRFA (Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) tender.

Several factors contributed to India's reluctance to embrace the American stealth fighter. Firstly, integrating the F-35 into the Indian Air Force (IAF) would necessitate significant overhauls in operational tactics, training protocols, and logistical frameworks.

The IAF, preferring to maintain consistency with its existing and planned fleet, was hesitant to undertake such a disruptive transition.

Secondly, the F-35's exorbitant cost, both in terms of acquisition and long-term maintenance, posed a substantial financial burden. India, mindful of its budgetary constraints, was wary of committing to such an expensive undertaking.

Moreover, India's commitment to indigenous defence programs played a crucial role in this decision. The IAF is heavily invested in projects like the Tejas MkII and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

These endeavors are not only pivotal for India's self-reliance in defence technology but also align with its long-term strategic objectives of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

The geopolitical landscape also influenced this decision. India's acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, despite U.S. sanctions, created a point of contention. This strained relationship likely influenced India's willingness to engage in further major defence deals with the U.S.

Additionally, the MRFA tender, with its focus on acquiring 114 multi-role fighters, already had several contenders that better suited the IAF's immediate needs and strategic vision. The inclusion of the F-35 would have added unnecessary complexity to an already intricate process.

India's decision to decline the F-35, despite significant U.S. pressure, underscores its commitment to indigenous defence programs and its strategic autonomy in defence acquisitions. While the F-35 undoubtedly boasts impressive capabilities, it ultimately failed to align with India's unique set of priorities and constraints.

 

[sanket]

US may imposed sanction any Time , it is not Trusted partner it is better to buy European Fighter jet which is Most likely to win in MRFA .Super hornet already Lost in Naval Tender ,

 

[vinod nair]

F35 is expensive and MQ 9 is Inexpensive?? If we need mrfa then go for the best if American sys comes with ifs and but then russian sys but don't b brand ambassador of some other countries plane

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Purchase ~48 F35 with rights to integrate weapons of choice, mid life upgrades and full scale MRO in India. It may provide valuable insights for AMCA.

 

[Bhupesh Desai]

Buying F35 is not a good idea from security perspective because of inherent issues with trusting US; and also from the current disorganization programs like AMCA.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

The daily software security code unless given to the Indian airforce would have kept the IAF at mercy of the US and perhaps grounded in crises in case indians refused to work as american poodles with the threat of sanctions always hanging around . The cost of flying , maintenance for the F-35 is prohibitive and unless sold at friendship prices or 50% cost inclusion of Indian companies in the supply chain and complete set up of MRO/OVERHAUL engines air frames , Avionics and radars in the country including repairs of other and US aircraft the deal would be costly . Anything less than 15 squns would have been unviable view low availability rate of the aircraft .

 

[Akshat]

F35 is expensive and MQ 9 is Inexpensive?? If we need mrfa then go for the best if American sys comes with ifs and but then russian sys but don't b brand ambassador of some other countries plane

Russians are not even close to number 2. IAF favored MRFA while cancelling FGFA.

 

[Rajsn]

Purchase ~48 F35 with rights to integrate weapons of choice, mid life upgrades and full scale MRO in India. It may provide valuable insights for AMCA.

Sounds good but you you know that you are just Day Dreaming .
USA will never do that

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

Russians are not even close to number 2. IAF favored MRFA while cancelling FGFA.

FGFA was about 5th gen. MRFA is 4-4.5 gen. Russia refused to share tech whereas Rafales are even having BEL fitted AESA radar modules. Many big indigenisations are coming like fitting Kaveri engines if 150 (114 more) are ordered

 

[CutDalla]

US may imposed sanction any Time , it is not Trusted partner it is better to buy European Fighter jet which is Most likely to win in MRFA .Super hornet already Lost in Naval Tender ,

Rafale can’t fit in the carrier or can accommodate 2 Pilots. .

 

[Anant]

FGFA was about 5th gen. MRFA is 4-4.5 gen. Russia refused to share tech whereas Rafales are even having BEL fitted AESA radar modules. Many big indigenisations are coming like fitting Kaveri engines if 150 (114 more) are ordered

Yeah, no. You aren't fitting something like the Kaveri instead of the M88 in the Rafale. Aircraft engines aren't simple things that you can just randomly take out and replace with others. Depending on the dimensions, weight, weight distribution, etc, you might have to conduct a massive re-design and full re-trials of the aircraft. That, of course, assumes the OEM would agree, which isn't happening either. All of that would also happen if the Kaveri had actually been integrated with an afterburner, which isn't the case.

No, if we do get Rafales under MRFA, it'll be with the M88.

 

[Anant]

Rafale can’t fit in the carrier or can accommodate 2 Pilots. .

I assume you think the Navy has idiots sitting in senior leadership positions?

Did it occur to you that the Navy would have, I don't know, said something if the Rafale didn't fit on the carriers?

 

[Sandeep]

First of all India wanted to buy a similar air defence system from the USA but they rejected it. We had no choice but to buy it from Russia so it’s the USA fault for forcing us to buy the S400 and create a integrated air defence of the entire country with other indigenous SAM like MR-SAM, Akash, Spyder and future missiles.

Also the USA were never interested in selling the F35 jets at all. If they really wanted to sell it then they would have made several attempts with a high technology transfer and lower price etc. They don’t trust us completely because of our close relationship with Russia and we follow an independent foreign policy but the USA demands complete loyalty and to support their policies. Also the fear was that Russia would have closely monitored the F35 jet and how it interacts with the S400 at what range, achieving a lock on their jet, what missile works and which doesn’t etc.

 

[Pink Panther]

Rafale can’t fit in the carrier or can accommodate 2 Pilots. .

This is a well known fact and was discussed here a million times at-least that we need to remove the wings in order to fit in the elevator and Rafale-M comes only in single seat.

 

[Pink Panther]

F35 is expensive and MQ 9 is Inexpensive?? If we need mrfa then go for the best if American sys comes with ifs and but then russian sys but don't b brand ambassador of some other countries plane

MQ9’s are indispensable during peace time for surveillance and reconnaissance especially for the Navy, it will save us a lot of money in the long run, otherwise we have to use both men and machine's ( jets) to do this job which is quiet expensive.

 

[Pink Panther]

FGFA was about 5th gen. MRFA is 4-4.5 gen. Russia refused to share tech whereas Rafales are even having BEL fitted AESA radar modules. Many big indigenisations are coming like fitting Kaveri engines if 150 (114 more) are ordered

why do you want to do that,?then what is the point of spending close to $300Mln for each Rafsle, if we wanted zo use Kaveri we have ORCA for that.

 

[Ajath Shri]

why do you want to do that,?then what is the point of spending close to $300Mln for each Rafsle, if we wanted zo use Kaveri we have ORCA for that.

ORCA does not exist.

 

[Pink Panther]

ORCA does not exist.

It might be done if needed if needless MRFA is cancelled and if there is a requirement of twin engine jet, if TEDBF could be made ORCA could be made too.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

Russian intrest group in armed forces and Bureaucracy are big obstacle in inducting F-35,F-36, F-15EX-II now India don't need support of Kashmir we must be free to buy military platform on merit not on political pressure ! We bought Su-30 which in inferior to F-15 EX-II we also bough Jaguars which India not needed better we had bought F-16s in 1990s

 

[Akshat]

FGFA was about 5th gen. MRFA is 4-4.5 gen. Russia refused to share tech whereas Rafales are even having BEL fitted AESA radar modules. Many big indigenisations are coming like fitting Kaveri engines if 150 (114 more) are ordered

Yes, Rafales are having BEL delivered ARSA TRMs after ToT from Thales. And Kaveri are not coming on Rafale.