IAF quickens push for new Rafale jets to stem depletion of fighter squadrons: Report

The project envisions procuring 114 jets, most of which are intended to be manufactured domestically through foreign collaboration.

Months after the extensive use of Rafale fighters- during the military hostilities with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force, according to a report by TOI, has strongly pitched for a deal with France to procure more 4.5 generation fighter jets under its long-pending project to acquire 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA).

Quoting government sources, the abovementioned publication said the IAF will soon seek the initial “acceptance of necessity” (AoN) for the MRFA project, the first step in the lengthy procurement process, for approval by the Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) within the next month or two.

Under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, most of these aircraft are expected to be manufactured domestically in collaboration with foreign partners.

“Government will take the final decision when the MRFA case comes to DAC. But yes, IAF has projected an urgent need for additional Rafales to stem the depletion in the number of its fighter squadrons,” TOI reported citing a source.

The MRFA proposal has been on hold for seven to eight years, with an initial estimated cost of over Rs 1.2 lakh crore. Meanwhile, the IAF’s strength has dropped to 31 fighter squadrons (16–18 aircraft each) and will fall to a record low of 29 next month when the last MiG-21s are retired.

The sanctioned strength is 42.5 squadrons to counter potential threats from both China and Pakistan, a concern reinforced during Operation Sindoor. China is also expected to supply Pakistan with at least 40 J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighters in the near future.
The push comes three months after Operation Sindoor, during which Rafales were extensively used for long-range strikes across the border with Pakistan. India has not confirmed any fighter losses and has dismissed Islamabad’s claim of shooting down six IAF jets, including three Rafales. Pakistan deployed Chinese-built J-10s armed with PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles during the clashes.

The IAF has also highlighted the need for two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighters, with Russia’s Sukhoi-57 and America’s F-35 under consideration until India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is ready for production, expected around 2035.