SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a groundbreaking development, a high-level Defence Ministry committee has accepted the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) recommendation to potentially include 5th-generation fighter jets in the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 110 jets, according to sources close to idrw.org, this marks the first time India could see offers for 5th-generation platforms under the MRFA framework, with provisions for some level of Transfer of Technology (ToT) and local manufacturing. While the move signals a strategic leap in India’s air combat capabilities, uncertainties linger over which 5th-generation jets will come with ToT and the establishment of a Final Assembly Line (FAL) in the country.
The MRFA tender, valued at over $20 billion, aims to bolster the IAF’s dwindling squadron strength—currently at 31 against a sanctioned 42—by replacing aging MiG-21s, Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s. Traditionally focused on 4.5-generation fighters like the Rafale, F/A-18 Super Hornet, and Eurofighter Typhoon, the tender’s expansion to include 5th-generation options reflects growing regional threats, notably China’s J-20 stealth fleet and emerging 6th-generation prototypes.
Among the contenders, Russia appears to be the only nation explicitly offering a 5th-generation jet with ToT. idrw.org reports that the Sukhoi Su-57E, an export variant of Russia’s stealth fighter, has been proposed with provisions for local manufacturing at HAL’s Nashik plant. Unveiled internationally at Aero India 2007 and inducted into Russian service in 2021, the Su-57 boasts advanced avionics, supercruise capability, and a reported radar cross-section reduction, though its stealth credentials remain debated. With 76 units ordered by Russia for delivery by 2028, the Su-57E’s pitch includes leveraging India’s existing Su-30 MKI infrastructure, potentially easing logistics.
The offer, likely structured as a government-to-government (G2G) deal, could see Nashik—already a hub for MiG and Su-30 maintenance—transformed into a production center. This aligns with India’s decades-long defence ties with Russia, though past delays in spares and sanctions following the Ukraine conflict raise concerns. The Su-57E’s ToT package could accelerate India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, expected by 2035, by providing insights into stealth and sensor fusion—albeit with questions about how much proprietary technology Russia would share.
Contrastingly, Lockheed Martin has shown keen interest in offering its F-35A Lightning II, the world’s most prolific 5th-generation fighter, but not under the MRFA’s ToT framework. Sources told idrw.org that the U.S. proposal favors a G2G deal for direct off-the-shelf purchases, bypassing local assembly. Displayed at Aero India 2023, the F-35A—with over 1,110 units delivered globally—offers unmatched stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare capabilities. Its conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant suits IAF bases, while the carrier-based F-35C could interest the Navy.
However, the U.S.’s stringent technology-sharing policies pose a hurdle. Unlike the F-21 (an upgraded F-16 variant offered with full production in India via Tata), the F-35A’s sensitive systems—such as its AN/APG-81 AESA radar and stealth coatings—are unlikely to see ToT or an FAL in India. This clashes with “Make in India” goals, potentially relegating the F-35A to a stopgap role rather than a cornerstone of the MRFA. President Trump’s 2025 call for India to buy more U.S. arms adds political weight, but operational sovereignty concerns linger due to reliance on American updates and spares.
When queried about South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae, idrw.org sources clarified that the current production model is a 4.5-generation fighter, with a 5th-generation variant not expected before 2030. First flown in 2022 and slated for induction by 2026, the KF-21 features advanced avionics and a 15-ton payload but lacks full stealth. “It’s up to the vendors to decide if they will respond or not,” an insider noted, suggesting Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) could pitch a future 5th-generation KF-21EX with ToT. However, its developmental timeline and partial reliance on U.S. components (e.g., GE F414 engines) make it a long shot for the MRFA’s immediate needs.
The inclusion of 5th-generation jets in the MRFA tender, as greenlit by the Defence Ministry committee chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, reflects a dual strategy: addressing the IAF’s urgent shortfall of 450 jets by 2040 and leapfrogging to next-gen technology. With the Tejas Mk1A delayed and AMCA years away, a 5th-generation infusion could deter China’s PLAAF and Pakistan’s looming J-35 acquisitions. Local manufacturing, whether via Russia’s Su-57E or a yet-unconfirmed contender, promises industrial growth—potentially at HAL Nashik or a private facility like Tata’s Vadodara plant.
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