By Air Marshal Anil Chopra (r)
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently revealed its intent to conduct an open tender for the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project, aiming to procure 114 jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is poised to be one of the largest defence procurement projects in recent years. The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the ambitious MRFA procurement and the Request for Proposal (RFP) is likely to be issued in early 2025. The “open tender” for this to be made in Indian aircraft brings in fresh dimensions that could tail-spin the whole process for an extended selection process.
Earlier IAF acquired 36 Rafale through a government-to-government G2G deal in 2016. The open tender will thus be a departure. Is the government playing it safe after the political slugfest and controversy that followed the Euro 7.87 billion Rafale deal? The Indian government is looking for a transparent, efficient procurement model for the MRFA tender.
IAF Desperately Needs Fighter Aircraft
IAF is down to 31 fighter squadrons Vis-à-vis authorized 42 squadrons. The last MiG-21 squadron will retire in 2025. The LCA Mk1A has been delayed by a year already. In reality with China pulling far ahead and Pakistan building inventory, for a two-front scenario, India requires 50 fighter squadrons. IAF urgently needs 114 fighters.
MRFA Request for Information
The Indian government issued a request for information (RFI) for 114 MRFA in 2018. As many as eight aircraft responded to the RFI. These include the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Boeing F-15EX Eagle II, Lockheed Martin F-21 (a variant of F-16V with 14 India-specific customizations), Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS-39 Gripen E/F, Mikoyan MiG-35, and Sukhoi Su-35.
Most aircraft had already participated in the MMRCA competition, which was clinched by Rafale after beating the Eurofighter Typhoon on price. Rafale’s naval version has reportedly been selected for the Indian Navy’s two aircraft carriers as a replacement for its aging MiG-29s.
Need for Fresh Trials
Six of the eight contenders had gone through the MMRCA round of ground and trails. But these trials happened in 2008-10. That was nearly 15 years ago. All aircraft have seen significant upgrades. But upgrades are primarily in avionics and weapons. There is thus a possibility of doing limited trials.
Make-In-India Requirement
The Indian government is considering stipulating in the RFP requirement of “full production” of the aircraft in India in a joint venture with a local partner. In the case of Rafale, some components are already being produced in India as part of purchase agreements. The same is not true for others. However, full aircraft production would be a significant development. Accompanying it is the need to transfer full technology. This will also be resisted by many.
Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen
The Swedish Saab JAS 39 E/F Gripen is a light single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft. It has a delta wing and canard configuration with a relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire flight controls. The first flight took place in 1988, with the delivery of the first serial production airplane in 1993. The initial variant entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1996. The latest variant JAS 39E/F Gripen began entering service with the Swedish Air Force and Brazilian Air Force in 2019. JAS 39E is the single-seat production version developed from the Gripen NG program. JAS 39F is the two-seat version. JAS 39 E/F has a larger fuselage, a more powerful engine, increased weapons payload capability, and a new cockpit, avionics architecture, electronic warfare system and other improvements. As of 2023, more than 300 Gripen variants have been built.
There is a proposed carrier-based version of the Gripen E. There is also a proposed unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) variant of the Gripen E. Gripen EA is the proposed electronic warfare (EW) or Electronic Attack variant of the Gripen F.
The aircraft has been sourced roughly 67 percent from Swedish or European suppliers and 33 percent from the U.S. The engine, fuel, and hydraulics are sourced from outside Sweden, albeit from global OEMs. On the other hand, the avionics, software, mission computers, system integration, data and sensor fusion, and practically all others are indigenous. These include radar and electronic warfare systems, and weapon systems. Sweden has offered to integrate Indian systems and weapons on the platform. Some operators have adopted the less expensive GE F414G power plant vis-à-vis the Eurojet EJ200. The version on offer to India can be with a more powerful and more expensive EJ-200 engine.
Saab Gripen had been a contender for the erstwhile MMRCA deal. But after nearly 15 years, the technologies offered on the Gripen E are the latest. There is significant AI embedded for quicker and better operational decision-making, and the network-enabled capabilities have been greatly enhanced.
One plus point is that all operators have access to Gripen’s source code and technical documentation, allowing for upgrades and new equipment to be independently integrated. Saab has pledged full Gripen E technology transfer to India if it is awarded the contract. However, some in India have been concerned about the high US-supplied hardware, such as electronics, weaponry and the GE-F414 engine. The current operating countries are Brazil. Czech Republic, Hungary, Thailand and South Africa. Sweden is the only country with significant numbers, over 100.
SAAB has tied with the Adani group as their production partner in India. A proposal has the backing of the Swedish government. When India begins manufacturing the GE F414 in India, then that could be an advantage. SAAB promises delivery of the first Gripen to India in 36 months.
Boeing F/A-18IN
The Boeing F/A18E/F Super Hornet is a twin-engine multirole fighter. The aircraft evolved from the YF-17 which had lost the USAF competition to the F-16 in mid 1970s. The F-18 first flew in 1978 as a Hornet and is operated by US Marines and US Navy, Royal Australian and Spanish Air Forces among others. Nearly 1500 Hornets have been built. The Hornet and Super Hornet have successfully taken part in the Gulf and Middle East wars. The Super Hornet has a new larger airframe and has seen extensive avionics upgrades. The aircraft is powered by 2 × General Electric F414-400 turbofans. The variant that is likely to be offered will be customized for India and called F/A-18IN and have a newer AESA radar.
Boeing and Tata joint-venture, the Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) facility at Hyderabad supports India as a global exporter of aerospace. The 14,000 square meters facility makes aero-structures of Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopter for customers worldwide.
This is the first time the Super Hornet is being offered for production in a foreign country. Indian Navy appears to have chosen to acquire 26 jets Rafale-M in preference to F-18s. That is a disadvantage.
Boeing F-15EX Eagle II
The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II is an advanced two-seat variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle and made its maiden flight in February 2021. Improvements included the AMBER (Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejector Rack) system to carry up to 16 air-to-air missiles, AESA radar, infrared search and track, advanced avionics, and electronic warfare equipment, conformal tanks, and revised structure with a service life of 20,000 hours. The USAF went ahead with these to maintain fleet size as F-22 production ended. The USAF has ordered around 80 aircraft. The Israeli Air Force ordered 25 F-15IA fighters and plans to upgrade 25 F-15Is to the F-15IA standard. The aircraft has a max-take-off weight of 36.7 tons, similar in class to the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI at 38.8 tons. With over 260 Su-30 MKI with IAF, India will have to take a call if it requires such a large aircraft in numbers more than the USAF.
Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing multirole fighter manufactured by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo formed in 1986. Aircraft entered operational service in 2003 and around 600 have been built to date and flown by 10 Air Forces. The fighter is powered by two Eurojet EJ200 engines. It is an agile fighter that has seen operations in Libya. Eurofighter was one of the two aircraft short-listed after a technical evaluation during the MMRCA competition along with Rafale but lost out on the commercial bid. Though a consortium, India would have to have a lead partner to enter into a contract. The upgrades of the aircraft include MBDA Meteor, Storm Shadow and Brimstone integration. There are upgrades to the AESA radar and electronic suite.
Lockheed Martin F-21
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine air-superiority, multi-role fighter aircraft that first flew in 1974 and has since been operated by 26 countries. It has been repeatedly upgraded, including changes to the airframe. The aircraft today has the latest technologies, and modularity makes it easily further upgradable. The F-21 would be an India-specific Block 70 variant. The aircraft will feature Northrop Grumman’s advanced APG-83 AESA radar and enhanced battle-space awareness avionics. On offer are also many weapons including the latest versions of the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The aircraft is powered by a GE F110-132A engine. The structural life of the aircraft has been extended to see it flying till 2040. Operational capabilities are enhanced through an advanced datalink, targeting pod and weapons; precision GPS navigation and the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).
At one stage, the offer was to shift the entire F-16 manufacturing line to India and make India the global supply chain hub. With 2250 F-16 still flying in 26 countries, it would mean a very significant move. Lockheed Martin has a joint venture company with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) which has proven expertise through the manufacture of airframe components for the C-130J airlifter and the S-92 helicopter. F-16 Wings are being produced in India for global customers. Lockheed Martin and Tata would produce the F-21 in India, for India.
Mikoyan MiG 35
The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a Russian multi-role fighter which is essentially a further development of the MiG-29M2. MiG-35 was first presented internationally during the Aero India 2007. The single-seat version is designated MiG-35 and the two-seat version MiG-35D. The fighter has improved avionics and weapon systems, including a new AESA radar, and precision-guided targeting capability. With IAF having already upgraded the MiG-29s, India has already partially imbibed the technologies.
Sukhoi Su-35
The Sukhoi Su-35 is yet another upgrade of the Su-27 air-defence fighter family. It is a single-seat, twin-engine, super manoeuvrable, multi-role aircraft. The two-seater version resembles the Su-30MK family. The Su-35 has a redesigned cockpit and weapons-control system features thrust-vectoring engines and has no canards. The type made its first flight in February 2008. It is currently operated by the Russian Air Force and People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). With India having very large numbers of Su-30MKI, and also a proposal to upgrade them, Su-35 may not be that attractive.
Rafale
After a gruelling selection process, the omni-role Rafale came out as the winner in the MMRCA tender. It has been operationally tested in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria. The fleet is fully operational in IAF. India has infrastructure for two airbases. Also, India has paid for one-time India-specific enhancements. The F4 is the latest variant with radar and sensor upgrades that facilitate the detection of airborne stealth targets at long range, and improved communications equipment, for more effective network-centric warfare. It is a variant on offer. Given IAF’s depleting numbers, albeit expensive, one school of thought has been to order additional Rafale. The Indian Navy is likely to order the Rafale-M. These additional numbers would support Make-in-India.
Rafale’s Huge Backlog
Another reason New Delhi is looking for a fresh procurement process is Dassault’s perceived inability to supply the Rafale in a short-to-medium time frame due to a huge backlog of orders from other countries. Dassault has said it could increase production to at least three aircraft per month, which would significantly ease the bottleneck. Such decisions inevitably mean expanding workforces, factories and tooling, all requiring sizeable investment. Some suppliers may worry that a 30-plus production rate will not be sustainable and could burden them with costly excess capacity if demand later drops.
Multiple Fleets Complexities
While the trend worldwide is to have limited fleet types, IAF continues to be mired by a multiplicity of fighter fleets with Jaguar, Mirage 2000, Su-30, MiG-21 & 29, LCA and Rafale. Adding more types would mean a continued logistics nightmare. Larger fleets can amortize costs and can maintain decent spare backups. Ideally, IAF should settle for SU-30 MKI, Rafale and LCA fleets in the long run with one new fighter and AMCA later. Nearly 65 percent of the IAF continues to be of Russian origin. This dependency on a single country has to be reduced. This has become clearer after the Ukraine conflict. I assess that in the next 20 years, India must target a percentage mix of 40 Indian, 30 Western and 30 Russian.
To Summarise
The delays in indigenous LCA resulted in IAF squadrons continuing to reduce. Despite IAF committing to 40 LCA Mk 1 and 83 plus 97 LCA Mk1A, and having given tacit approval for as many as 120 LCA Mk II (may go up to 200 later), the inductions remained slow. IAF also fully backs the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Meanwhile, the LCA Mk II will be using a GE F414 engine. The same may also go in the initial AMCA. The F 414 will be manufactured in India.
China has been pulling ahead in both numbers and quality. They have built nearly 300 fifth-generation J-20 aircraft, and plan to increase the numbers to 1,000 by 2035. LCA Mk1A is currently behind schedule. Deliveries may still be completed by 2029. The Mk2 is now planned to roll out around August 2025 and make the first flight in March 2026, and induction around 2032.
India’s fifth-generation aircraft the AMCA may make its first flight around 2028. It can be inducted earliest only around 2035. AMCA would require some foreign technological support, some of which can be factored into the new fighter selection package. Most major powers are reluctant to share the latest technologies, more so with one of the major arms importers.
The necessity of 114 additional fighters is very clearly spelled out. The starting point is the issuing of the RFP. Once the RFP responses are received, the chances are that many if not most will meet the technical specifications. The extent of evaluation would have to be decided to save time. The commercial consideration and level of technology transfer on offer would decide the ultimate winner.
Any deal for the new fighter would have to have in-built in the contract maximum technology transfer and support for India’s LCA, AMCA, AESA radar and aircraft engine programs. The Saab Gripen JAS-39 is the most recent aircraft with fairly modern technologies. Being an overall smaller political player for India it will be easier to get a good deal from Saab. They are willing to share the source code. However, only 300 Gripen are flying the world over giving little business leverage for any exports. Also, the original Saab plant will not be shut down. Nearly 30 percent of aircraft systems are sourced from the USA, which can have complications later.
F-18 is a twin-engine aircraft, and its airframe has recently been redesigned. Boeing has a significant presence in the country. But if the Indian Navy goes ahead with Rafale-M then the numbers for F-18 “Make in India” would reduce.
F-16 is a single-engine aircraft and has the largest fleet in the world, many of which will be flying well past 2040. India can get huge business worldwide for maintenance and overhauls.
With the MiG-29 upgrade, some of the technologies have already been imbibed. So MiG-35 is unlikely to be a contender. Earlier the Eurofighter had lost out to Rafale on the commercial bid. New commercial bids would have to be seen. Rafale also has the advantage of a naval variant thus the advantage of numbers.
Despite much refined DPP-2020, amended in 2022, the only contracts that seem to have gone through have all been G2G deals. All deals with the Soviet Union and Russia in the past were G2G. Also Americans (P-8I, C-17, C-130, Apache, Chinook and others) and French (Rafale) were G2G. G2G deals save time, and price discovery is inbuilt. A G2G approach would still be the best for the selected fighter, for both cost and time savings. An early decision is operationally most critical.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra (r) is an Indian Air Force veteran fighter test pilot and former Director-General of the Center for Air Power Studies in New Delhi. He has been decorated with gallantry and distinguished service medals while serving in the IAF for 40 years.
