MRFA vs AMCA Mk1: Why is Best for IAF?
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari in an interview with the media confirmed that steps will be taken to push for the procurement of 114 Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), under the Make in India initiative, rather than opting for another 36 Rafale fighter jets. 2022 will see IAF actively pushing for a new 4.5 generation fighter with “some fifth-generation capabilities” for over Rupees 1.25 lakh crore.
Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari also added that in MRFA, most of
the contenders have the 4.5 generation technology. One of the key features that
we are seeking is the ability to integrate 5th and 6th generation technology.
It will be a Make in India model. Dassault Rafale still seems to be the top
contender to win the race but paying $120 million per unit for a 4.5 Generation
jet that allegedly is equipped with some 5th Generation capacities
still doesn’t seem to make sense when prices of the 5th generation fighters are
already hitting below $100 million per unit mark recently.
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If the objective of the IAF is to have 5th generation or 6th
generation capabilities from a 4.5 generation aircraft then why is IAF is reluctant
to procure AMCA Mk1 in larger numbers rather than limiting it to the just Two
squadrons that it intends to procure. The countries around the world who are
already operating 4.5 generation fighters procured decades ago are planning to
procure upgrades and modernization kits that can give Avionics, Radars, and
Electronic warfare capabilities that were originally made for the 5th generation
programs so technology obsolescence issues are rectified and also keep the
older jet technological relevant.
MRFA winner even if selected by 2023 will take another 2-3
years before contract can be executed and will require 4-5 years before the
local production line is set up and Transfer of technology takes place for
rollout of the first Made in India Jet. IAF will not get the first jet out of
MRFA Tender at least not before 2028 even if there is some urgency shown in the
MRFA tender. AMCA Mk1 is supposedly entering production sometime in 2029-30.
If IAF believes that AMCA Mk1 that will be classified as a
5th generation fighter jet will be superior to any MRFA jet that will come out
in 2028 then why procure such an inferior jet for a price that will be
significant as expensive as a 5th generation fighter just doesn’t make any
sense. IAF plans to procure just 5 Squadrons of AMCA MK2 and 2 Squadrons of
AMCA Mk1 but is ready to procure 7 Squadrons of MRFA jet for a price range that
after local production might be in the range of $100-130 million per unit when
it can expand production of AMCA Mk1 place orders for 5 Squadrons and let AMCA
Mk2 a 5.5 generation jet that takes over production line in 2035 for another 5
Squadrons and then plans for 5 more Squadrons of AMCA Mk3 with 6th gen
capabilities so that it can start replacing older Sukhoi-30s from 2040 onwards.
