SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up for a potentially high-stakes procurement of 114 Medium Range Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). While the Rafale, having already proven its mettle in Indian skies, is a formidable contender, the Boeing F-15EX is steadily emerging as a formidable challenger.
The last MRCA tender, which saw the Rafale emerge victorious, also included the Eurofighter Typhoon as a strong contender and as L2 Bidder that met all Technical round. However, the political landscape has shifted significantly since then. Germany’s veto power over arms exports has cast a long shadow over the Typhoon’s prospects.
Flip-flops over MTU engine supply to Arjun MBT program and Light Tank program by German administration and Saudi Arabia, a major Eurofighter customer, has faced hurdles in procuring additional aircraft due to German objections. This political uncertainty has undoubtedly weakened the Typhoon’s position in the Indian market.
In contrast, the F-15EX, a heavily upgraded version of the venerable F-15 Eagle, offers a compelling package. It boasts advanced avionics, potent weaponry, and a robust airframe. Moreover, the aircraft’s proven reliability and low operating costs are attractive propositions for the IAF. Boeing has been offering not only ToT but also price that will sit well below $90 million per unit mark that will be much more cheaper then Rafale or Eurofighter offers.
USAF that will be bring in older F-15E to the next months Tarang Shakti-2024 is India’s first multinational air exercise, will allow IAF to have Closer look at the F-15s. Russians offers on Su-35 and Mig-35 are not favored and Gripen-E that will be smaller then the Tejas MkII program is also not finding much traction with IAF.
While the Rafale’s operational experience with the IAF gives it a head start in the MRFA tender, the F-15EX’s capabilities and the geopolitical challenges faced by the Typhoon have created a dynamic and competitive landscape for the MRFA tender. The IAF’s final decision will likely hinge on a careful evaluation of various factors, including cost, capabilities, and long-term support.