Context:
Today, the Indian Air Force has only 31 fighter squadrons left, compared to its authorized strength at 42 fighter squadrons.
- Issue Facing
- The entire issue of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) has been bedeviled for years and the procurement process has always been stating that it is going to be a foreign aircraft, but with a substantial transfer of technology in India.
The Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA)
The Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) is a program by the Indian Air Force (IAF) which aim is to acquire 114 fighter jets to bolster the country’s air combat capabilities. The IAF announced the program back in April 2018, and the government issued a request for proposals in 2018. The valuation of program is expected to be $20 billion.
- Aircraft:
- The IAF is planning a number of aircraft, including the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS-39 Gripen E/F, Mikoyan MiG-35, and Sukhoi Su-35.
- Make in India:
- The government has decided that the jets is going to be manufactured in India.
- Procurement:
- The tender is expected to be issued by mid-2025.
- Challenges:
- The program facing multiple challenges, which includes the need to fast-track the procurement process while ensuring the jets are up to date. The IAF’s squadron strength is currently down, and some say that 4.5-generation aircraft may not be enough to compete with fifth-generation platforms.
A multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) is a combat aircraft that can perform a variety of roles, including air to air combat, air support, aerial bombing, reconnaissance, a
