Indian Air Force Plans Open Tender for 114 Medium-Role Fighter Aircraft
In a significant shift in procurement strategy, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is considering issuing an “open tender” for the acquisition of 114 medium-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), with an emphasis on domestic production. This move marks a departure from the earlier government-to-government deal, which saw India purchasing 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in 2016.
According to sources cited by Asian News International, the Indian government aims to sidestep controversies that erupted over the Rafale deal, valued at approximately 7.87 billion euros ($8.56 billion), which was marred by allegations of corruption. The Rafale procurement was initially intended to resolve stalled negotiations with manufacturer Dassault over a larger order of 126 aircraft, but lengthy discussions from 2012 to 2015 culminated in the original agreement being scrapped.
"The previous arrangement to finalize the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) tender through a government-to-government contract led to political unrest," a source told The Print. "Vital documents regarding national interest were shared in the Supreme Court, turning the issue into a political spectacle."
Back in 2018, the Indian government initiated a request for proposals for MRFA, receiving submissions from six international defense manufacturers: Boeing, Dassault, the Eurofighter consortium, Lockheed Martin, Mikoyan, and Saab. While most of these companies had participated in the earlier MMRCA competition that culminated in the Rafale’s selection, a new open tender may further delay the procurement process at a critical time for the IAF, which has seen its squadron strength dwindle to 31, well below the sanctioned target of 42.
Introducing a fresh procurement process multifaceted hurdles, particularly as the aircraft in question have undergone numerous upgrades since the last evaluation by the IAF in 2010-11. Participating aircraft include Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault’s Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab’s Gripen, Mikoyan MiG-35, and Lockheed Martin’s F-16, though the latter has been replaced with an India-specific F-21 for the new competition. Additionally, Boeing is pitching its F-15EX as a viable option.
A pressing concern for the Indian government is Dassault’s inability to deliver the Rafale aircraft in a timely manner due to a significant backlog of orders from other countries, suggesting that supply to India could take over a decade.
In a bid to bolster domestic defense capabilities, the Indian government is also exploring the stipulation of “full production” of the aircraft within India, potentially in collaboration with a local partner. Currently, some aircraft components are being manufactured in India as part of existing purchase agreements; however, achieving full production would represent a major leap forward. This initiative would require the transfer of technology, a concept that Dassault may be reluctant to embrace.
As the IAF navigates these changes, the call for a government-led, domestically-focused procurement process could reshape India’s defense landscape while seeking to avoid past controversies.
