Eurofighter
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant statement that could shape the future of the Indian Air Force’s procurement strategy, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the newly appointed Chief of Air Staff, suggested that the aircraft selected under the much-anticipated Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets should follow the “Jaguar model.” This model refers to the autonomy the Indian Air Force (IAF) has enjoyed in upgrading its fleet of SEPECAT Jaguar jets without relying on assistance from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), a feature that has allowed the IAF to enhance the aircraft’s capabilities through multiple phases of indigenous upgrades.
The Jaguar has been a cornerstone of the IAF’s operational capability for decades, undergoing numerous upgrades that extended its service life and enhanced its combat effectiveness. When the Jaguars first joined the IAF, they went through several rounds of upgrades, all carried out by Indian engineers, particularly through the efforts of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), without the need for external intervention from the OEM. These phases of upgrades culminated in major programs like the Darin-I and Darin-II standards, which significantly boosted the aircraft’s operational capabilities by incorporating indigenously developed technologies.
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