NEW DELHI — The Indian Air Force (IAF) is pressing for a government-to-government deal with France to acquire additional Rafale fighter jets under the long-delayed 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project, in which most aircraft are to be manufactured domestically with foreign collaboration.
Sources said the IAF will soon move the MRFA proposal for acceptance of necessity (AoN) to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, likely within two months. “The IAF has projected an urgent need for more Rafales to stem the depletion of fighter squadrons,” a senior official noted.
The push follows Operation Sindoor (May 7–10), when Rafales were extensively used in long-range strikes against Pakistan. While India has not disclosed losses, it has denied Pakistan’s claim of downing six IAF jets, including three Rafales.
With the MRFA stuck for 7–8 years due to cost estimates exceeding ₹1.2 lakh crore, the IAF is now down to 31 squadrons — set to drop to 29 after MiG-21 retirement next month — against the sanctioned 42.5 needed to counter combined China-Pakistan threats. Pakistan is also expected to receive at least 40 Chinese J-35A fifth-generation stealth jets soon.
IAF has also outlined the need for 2–3 squadrons of fifth-generation fighters — contenders include Russia’s Sukhoi-57 and the US F-35 — until the indigenous AMCA enters production around 2035.
The IAF argues a direct Rafale deal would be faster and more economical than an open tender. India’s 36 Rafales, bought in 2016 for ₹59,000 crore, are based at Ambala and Hasimara, both with capacity for another squadron each. The Navy’s 26 Rafale-Marine jets, for INS Vikrant, are due between 2028–2030 under a ₹63,887 crore contract with France.
The renewed MRFA push follows a high-level review led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, which mapped out an accelerated capability enhancement plan for the IAF, with greater private-sector participation alongside DRDO and defence PSUs.
