SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to recommend to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) a crucial change in the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. This recommendation involves reducing the scope of the Request for Proposal (RFP) and limiting it to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that already meet its stringent operational and technical criteria.
By narrowing the focus, the IAF aims to expedite the procurement of 110 advanced fighter jets, a program critical for addressing the depleting strength of its combat fleet.
The MRFA tender was launched to replace the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, which aimed to acquire 126 fighter jets but was curtailed with the purchase of 36 Dassault Rafale jets. The MRFA, however, is far more ambitious, seeking to procure 110 multi-role fighters under the Buy Global – Make in India initiative.
The IAF’s recommendation to limit the RFP to OEMs that meet its criteria stems from a desire to avoid delays caused by evaluating platforms that fall short of operational and technical standards.
The IAF’s sanctioned strength of 42 combat squadrons has been dwindling, with numbers currently hovering around 31 squadrons. This gap is exacerbated by the phasing out of older platforms like the MiG-21.
While indigenous platforms like the Tejas Mk1A and the upcoming AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) are part of the solution, they alone cannot meet the immediate needs for operational readiness.
The MRFA tender is seen as a linchpin in ensuring the IAF maintains a credible deterrence capability against adversaries.
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