IAF beschleunigt nach neuen Rafale -Jets, um die Erschöpfung der Kampfflugzeuge einzudämmen: Bericht

Submission Statement:

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.

REASON:
The IAF believes that it would make „much better economic and logistical sense“ to go in for more Rafales through a government-to-government deal in the MRFA project as the deal can be concluded faster than going in for an open global tender.

CONCERN:
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 squadron strength is 42.5.

5TH GEN NEEDS:
The service has also projected the requirement for two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighters. Russia’s Su-57 and the US F-35 would be the only options on the table, given the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) will not be ready for years to come.

But no official talks have begun with either Russia or the US yet, TOI reported quoting a source.