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SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) ambitious Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, aimed at procuring 114 advanced fighter jets, is set to face a long and complex journey, with the process expected to take nearly five years to materialize. Even if the IAF secures Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) and the Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued by 2025, the path to contract finalization and delivery will be lengthy, influenced by a multitude of factors.

The MRFA program is critical to the IAF’s long-term modernization strategy. The IAF currently operates a mix of aircraft of varying ages and capabilities, and many of its older fleets, including the MiG-21, MiG-27, and early variants of the MiG-29, are approaching the end of their operational life. This has created an urgent need to induct new-generation fighter jets to maintain the IAF’s combat readiness and technological edge, especially as regional security dynamics evolve.

The MRFA tender seeks to address this by acquiring 114 multi-role fighters to supplement and eventually replace the aging platforms, strengthening the IAF’s offensive and defensive capabilities. The jets will serve as versatile platforms capable of conducting air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions, fitting seamlessly into the broader strategic framework of the Indian military.

Even with the issuance of AoN and RFP by 2025, the MRFA tender is likely to stretch into the early 2030s before the first aircraft are delivered. The reasons for this protracted timeline lie in the complexities of the procurement process, vendor selection, contract negotiations, and manufacturing logistics.

AoN and RFP Issuance (2025): The first significant milestone for the MRFA will be obtaining AoN from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which signals formal approval for the procurement. If the AoN is secured by 2025, the next step would be the issuance of an RFP, which is a comprehensive document that outlines the technical, operational, and financial requirements of the IAF. This phase alone could take a year or more, given the detailed specifications that need to be considered.

Vendor Selection and Trials (2025–2027): Once the RFP is issued, various global and domestic aerospace giants will compete for the contract. This includes major players like Boeing (F-15EX, F/A-18 Super Hornet), Lockheed Martin (F-21), Dassault Aviation (Rafale), Eurofighter (Typhoon), Saab (Gripen), and Russia’s Sukhoi (Su-35). The selection process involves rigorous technical trials, during which the competing aircraft must meet the IAF’s stringent performance criteria under diverse conditions.These trials, coupled with a comprehensive evaluation of technical bids and offset proposals, are expected to take at least two years, extending the timeline to 2027 or beyond.

Contract Negotiations and Finalization (2027–2029): Once the trials are complete and a preferred vendor is identified, contract negotiations will commence. This stage is particularly time-consuming, as it involves not only price negotiations but also discussions on technology transfer, local manufacturing, and offset obligations. The MRFA tender, under the Strategic Partnership (SP) model, mandates substantial indigenous production, requiring close coordination with Indian partners like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private sector entities. These negotiations, typically extended due to the complexity of the deal, could easily take two more years, pushing the timeline to 2029.

Manufacturing and Deliveries (2029–2035): After the contract is finalized, the manufacturing process will begin. In line with the “Make in India” initiative, a significant portion of the jets is expected to be manufactured locally, involving the setting up of new production lines, supply chain management, and technology transfer. Even under optimistic scenarios, the first deliveries are unlikely before 2030, with full induction stretching over several years into the mid-2030s.

While the five-year timeline may seem prolonged, the MRFA program remains essential for the IAF’s long-term operational needs. Once inducted, the new jets will complement existing platforms like the Rafale, Su-30MKI, and Tejas Mk1A, providing a modern and technologically advanced air force capable of handling the evolving security challenges in the region.