SOURCE: AFI
History seems destined to repeat itself in the realm of India’s fighter aircraft procurement. The announcement that a Request for Proposal (RfP) for the acquisition of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) is “imminent” rings strikingly similar to the ill-fated Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender of 2007. Valued at an estimated $20 billion, this is yet again projected to be the most expensive military acquisition in India’s history.
The MRFA tender bears an uncanny resemblance to the MMRCA process that began 17 years ago, aimed at procuring 128 fighters, with 108 to be manufactured in India. After a rigorous selection process, the Rafale emerged victorious in 2012, but the acquisition was scrapped in 2014 in favor of a direct purchase of 36 Rafale jets. This abrupt shift not only derailed the modernization of the Indian Air Force (IAF) but also sparked allegations of irregularities.
The consequences of these delays are clear. The IAF now operates with 31 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, a shortfall that has been repeatedly flagged for over two decades. This glaring gap underscores the urgency of acquiring modern fighter jets to bolster India’s defense preparedness.
Selecting a fighter aircraft is never straightforward. No “objective” assessment can single out one perfect option, as every choice involves trade-offs. In India’s case, the IAF’s preference for a medium-weight, multi-role fighter places it between the lightweight Tejas at one end of the spectrum and the heavy Su-30 MKI at the other.
Complicating the selection further are geopolitical considerations. While the IAF seeks to reduce dependence on Russian platforms, it is equally wary of U.S. reliability as a defense supplier, citing past instances where the U.S. blocked critical components or imposed sanctions.
Why Rafale May Be the Best Fit
Given these complexities, the Rafale seems poised to dominate the MRFA selection process:
- Proven Performance: The Rafale outperformed its competitors in the earlier MMRCA tender, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, due to its superior capabilities and lower risks associated with a single-country product.
- Operational Synergies: The selection of the Rafale-M for the Indian Navy strengthens the case for the Rafale in the MRFA tender, enabling logistical and operational efficiencies.
- Future-Readiness: With an expected service life into the mid-2040s, the Rafale aligns well with the IAF’s modernization goals.
- Simplified Fleet Composition: Consolidating around fewer types of aircraft would address the IAF’s long-standing issues with logistics, spares, and training.
The decision to cancel the MMRCA tender in 2014 raises fundamental questions about India’s procurement strategy. Could the IAF have been in a better position today if the Rafale had been acquired in larger numbers back then? Moreover, why wasn’t the Navy’s requirement for carrier-borne fighters aligned with the MMRCA process to leverage synergies?
To avoid repeating past mistakes, India must streamline its defense procurement processes. Swift decision-making, coupled with a focus on indigenous production under the “Make in India” initiative, can ensure that critical capabilities are delivered on time.
The MRFA tender, if pursued sensibly, has the potential to rectify decades of delay and indecision. However, time is of the essence. As geopolitical tensions rise and the IAF’s fleet continues to age, further procrastination could come at a steep cost to India’s national security.