It is ironic but IAF’s fighter conundrum continues with the force levels having shrunk to 29 squadrons against an authorised (and much needed) minimum 0f 42 squadrons to cater for the confrontation against the dual threat from China and Pakistan. The conundrum refers to the multi-front approach that IAF has adopted to build up its fighter strength to the desired levels.
At the top of the ladder is the most coveted and generous indigenous “Tejas” programme that ranges from LCA MK1, Mk1A and MK2 to be inducted in phases to finally acquire 18 squadrons for the IAF. However, while around 36 LCA MK1 aircraft were inducted to form two squadrons (No.45 & No.18) a few years ago, the rest of the programme starting with LCA MK1A induction has suffered due to various reasons. The biggest bottleneck has been the inordinate delays in the arrival of GE F-404 IN engines from the US which have been selected to power the LCA MK1A aircraft. After nearly two years of wait, it is now that supply of the engines has recommenced with a meagre 7 engines being received by HAL while it has close to 30 airframes ready and waiting to complete the manufacturing process. General Electric, the US jet engine maker has cited disruption in the supply of components from its sub-contractors for the delays and has promised to supply 20 more engines by the end of the current year as part of the contracted 97 engines. In the meantime, HAL has commissioned its third assembly line at Nasik to increase its capacity to 24 aircraft per annum. Hopefully, engine supplies will match the airframe manufacturing to keep the aircraft production on track.
Next in line is the acquisition of additional Rafales for the IAF. To redux, after Prime Minister Modi’s June 2026 visit to France, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had initiated the process to acquire 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets for the IAF (Indian Air Force). In the process, decision has been taken for an outright purchase of 22 Rafales ex-France while the remaining 92 will be manufactured within India with progressive indigenous content. The IAF has sought a minimum of 40 percent indigenous content to start with for the proposed 92 Rafale F4 fighter aircraft. The localisation requirement is expected to progressively increase, with the final batch of aircraft achieving 60 percent indigenous content, marking one of the highest localisation targets ever sought for a foreign fighter programme in India.
These requirements had been spelt out in the Letter of Request (LoR) that India sent to the French government in late May as part of the negotiations for the Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme. In response, France has submitted its formal response within the stipulated timeline for replying to the Indian request. Further, it has agreed to the localisation roadmap reflecting India’s broader objective of strengthening its domestic aerospace manufacturing ecosystem while reducing long-term dependence on imported components.
In addition to local manufacturing of the new fighters, the IAF has also proposed upgrading its existing fleet of 36 Rafale F3-R aircraft to the enhanced Rafale F4* configuration. Such an upgrade would allow the entire Rafale fleet to operate with common mission systems, software standards and enhanced combat capabilities, simplifying logistics, maintenance and operational planning.
These capabilities are also designed to support France’s long-term Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme by ensuring that the Rafale can seamlessly operate within highly connected, multi-domain combat environments alongside future unmanned systems and advanced sensors, which could also be made available for India.
India and France are likely to conclude negotiations and sign the agreement by early 2027. Deliveries could begin by 2030 with the first 22 aircraft supplied in flyaway condition from France. with subsequent aircraft would increasingly be manufactured in India as indigenous production capability expands.
The proposed localisation plan is expected to play a crucial role in determining the final structure of the programme. Beyond meeting the IAF’s operational requirements, the project has the potential to generate substantial work for India’s aerospace industry through technology transfer, supply chain development and long-term maintenance support in the global market. It could also lead to India making a 5th gen version of the Rafale in the years to come.
India and France are likely to conclude negotiations and sign the agreement by early 2027. Deliveries could begin by 2030 with the first 22 aircraft supplied in flyaway condition from France. Subsequent aircraft could increasingly be manufactured in India as indigenous production capability expands.
As stated, time and again, the undersigned has always maintained that India should follow three-pronged strategy for pursuing its fighter force planning to get the best from all quarters. Apart from India’s own fighter programmes such as LCA Mk1A, LCA MK2 and 5th generation AMCA all of which should be continued with the greatest sense of commitment and resolve, India could also imbibe the new French Rafale and the Russian Su-57 programmes.
Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his offer to supply and jointly produce the Sukhoi Su-57 5th generation stealth fighters in India. Moscow has promised full technology transfer and full freedom to India to integrate its own weapon systems on the aircraft such as astra air-to-air missile and other air-to-ground weapons. India, it may be recalled, had walked out of the programme earlier citing inadequacies in the design but since then the programme has adequately matured to merit a 5th generation fighter label. The aircraft would give interim capability to the IAF to counter PLAAF and PAF’s China supplied J-20/J-35 fighters to Pakistan till India’s own AMCA programme fructifies.
As stated earlier too, it must be clear that India needs to follow a multi-pronged approach to rebuild its fighter force to the approved levels of 42 squadrons, equipped with state-of-the-art 4+/5th generation aircraft to acquire necessary deterrence against our adversaries.
— Air Marshal V.K ‘Jimmy’ Bhatia (Retd)
