SOURCE: AFI
The chief executive of the Eurofighter consortium has expressed uncertainty regarding any significant updates from India on its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, which aims to procure advanced fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). As of 08:09 AM IST on Thursday, June 26, 2025, the lack of progress has prompted the consortium to redirect its efforts toward other markets. The company is now prioritizing sales opportunities in Austria, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, where demand for the Eurofighter Typhoon remains strong.
The MRFA tender, intended to acquire 114 fighter jets to bolster the IAF’s aging fleet, has yet to see the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP). This delay has left international contenders, including the Eurofighter consortium, in a holding pattern, with many opting to focus on more immediate prospects. The IAF’s indecision stems from ongoing evaluations of indigenous options like the Tejas Mk2 and geopolitical considerations, further complicating the timeline for the tender.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, known for its versatility and advanced avionics, has been a contender for the MRFA program, competing with platforms like the Rafale, F-35, and F-15EX. However, without an RFP, the consortium finds it challenging to tailor its offerings to India’s specific requirements. Meanwhile, the identified European and Middle Eastern markets offer lucrative opportunities, with nations seeking to modernize their air forces amid regional tensions.
This shift underscores the competitive nature of the global defense market, where delays in one region prompt manufacturers to pivot to others. For India, the prolonged MRFA process risks diminishing its leverage as a priority market, potentially affecting future negotiations as global players like Eurofighter realign their strategies.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.