In order to cope with its dwindling fleet and changing threat landscape, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is making a significant procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). Advanced 4.5-generation fighters with a variety of capabilities appropriate for ground assault, air superiority, and strategic reconnaissance are the focus of the MRFA program.
By using data from the previous Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition, which took place between 2009 and 2011, the IAF hopes to expedite trials. It will mainly concentrate on new technical advancements and exclude retesting of fundamental flying performance characteristics that have previously been verified.
The majority of the contenders are modernised versions of previously assessed aircraft, which show notable advancements in radar, avionics, and weaponry integration.
The Dassault Rafale, for example, has an upgraded RBE2 AESA radar and can integrate with cutting-edge weapons like the Meteor missile. While Lockheed Martin’s F-21 variant focusses on electronic warfare specifically designed for Indian requirements, Boeing’s F/A-18 Block-III integrates the AN/APG-79 AESA radar.
The Eurofighter Typhoon has radar cross-section reduction features that improve survivability, and SAAB’s Gripen E incorporates AI-enhanced decision aids. Crucially, all of them offer significant operational flexibility, but none of them match the stealth profile of fifth-generation aircraft.
The IAF’s operational doctrine to maintain credible deterrence and power projection over a two-front scenario informs the strategic choice of the MRFA platform. The authorised strength of 42 squadrons is not met by the current fleet levels of about 31 squadrons, and capability deficiencies are made worse by the retirement of obsolete systems like the MiG-21.
The MRFA induction under the ‘Make in India’ initiative will meet operational needs and improve domestic fighter production capabilities at the same time. To guarantee the effectiveness of network-centric warfare, integration with domestic weapons like the BrahMos cruise missile and Astra air-to-air missile is a crucial evaluation criterion.
Strict Request for Proposal (RFP) procedures will screen applicants according to detailed technical requirements that are in line with the 2020 Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP). Candidates must exhibit interoperability with India’s current infrastructure, flexibility in a range of combat situations, and expansion potential through technology transfer agreements in addition to raw performance criteria.
With a goal of completing technical evaluations in 12 to 18 months—a considerable speedup over previous acquisition procedures—this strategy seeks to uphold strict standards without extending the selection period.
Dassault Rafale, Boeing F/A-18 Block III, Lockheed Martin F-21, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen E, MiG-35, and Sukhoi Su-35 are some of the main competitors. These planes offer a variety of operational advantages: While Russian platforms like the MiG-35 and Su-35 bring robust kinetic performance and compatibility with Russian weapon systems, potentially making it easier to integrate legacy assets, Typhoon and Gripen offer advanced sensor fusion and agility, F/A-18 and F-21 offer versatile carrier and land-based options with mature weapon suites, and Rafale offers proven multirole combat effectiveness.
With a $15–20 billion budget, the MRFA acquisition is one of India’s biggest defence purchases. It is intended to be a strategic improvement that supports the IAF’s technological superiority, interoperability, and mission readiness rather than just a fleet replenishment.
In a difficult regional security environment, the program guarantees that future IAF fighter squadrons will be able to carry out a wide range of operations, such as air superiority, precision attacks, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
To sum up, the MRFA candidates are being evaluated based on their superior avionics, radar capabilities, weapons integration, and compatibility with India’s operational doctrines and defence ecosystem.
Technology and operational relevance are given top priority in the simplified trial strategy, guaranteeing that the chosen aircraft can successfully fulfil the IAF’s present and future mission needs and add to a modernised, balanced air combat force. The strategic fit is centred on using technologically advanced, multirole fighters that can adapt to India’s varied geography and threat spectrum in order to handle two-front defence concerns.
