SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is steering a renewed campaign for India to procure Eurofighter Typhoon jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) under its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets. The move comes after the Eurofighter Typhoon lost out to the Dassault Rafale in India’s previous Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition, where the Typhoon was declared L2 (second lowest bidder) and the Rafale emerged as the L1 (lowest bidder).
The Eurofighter Typhoon, built by a consortium consisting of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, is a multi-role fighter jet involving four key European nations—Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain. Although the UK is currently leading discussions with potential buyers, any sale of the Eurofighter requires approval from all four consortium nations, each of which has the power to veto the transaction. Chancellor Scholz has reportedly emphasized to Eurofighter consortium officials the importance of aggressively pursuing the MRFA tender to secure a deal with India.
The IAF plans to acquire 114 fighter jets to replace its ageing fleet of MiG-21s and other legacy aircraft. While the request for proposals (RFP) for the MRFA tender has yet to be issued, multiple international defence companies have expressed interest, including Dassault Aviation (offering the Rafale), Lockheed Martin (offering the F-21), Boeing (offering the F-15EX and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet), Saab (offering the Gripen), and the Eurofighter consortium (offering the Typhoon).
Given that the Eurofighter Typhoon was a finalist in the last MMRCA competition, the consortium is confident that the fighter will once again be a strong contender in the MRFA tender. The technical evaluations carried out by the IAF during the previous rounds give the consortium an edge, as many of the testing and certification processes have already been completed.
In previous discussions with Indian defence outlets such as idrw.org, Eurofighter consortium officials confirmed that they would be offering the Typhoon at a significantly lower price than the Dassault Rafale this time around. This competitive pricing could be a major factor in the MRFA contest, where cost efficiency, in addition to performance, will play a crucial role in the decision-making process.
Chancellor Scholz’s push reflects Germany’s desire to see the Eurofighter program secure more export orders, particularly in key markets like India. The German leader’s advocacy for the Typhoon is also tied to broader defence and industrial collaboration between India and Germany, which has strengthened in recent years. By securing the MRFA deal, Germany hopes to solidify its defence ties with India, contributing to both nations’ strategic interests.
For India, the choice of its next-generation fighter jets will not only depend on cost and performance but also on geopolitical considerations, technology transfer agreements, and local manufacturing commitments. As the IAF modernizes its fleet, it seeks not only a capable platform but also long-term partnerships that will contribute to the growth of India’s domestic aerospace sector. The MRFA tender is thus as much a strategic decision as a tactical one.
The Eurofighter Typhoon offers a range of advanced capabilities, including multi-role combat effectiveness, superior agility, and a highly integrated sensor suite. However, it will face tough competition from the Dassault Rafale, which already has a strong foothold in India after the Indian government ordered 36 Rafale jets in 2016 under a government-to-government deal. The Rafale’s recent performance in the IAF’s service, including its role in regional tensions, may give it an edge in the upcoming tender.
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