Finance
The Indian Air Force is planning to acquire 114 fighter jets, 96 of which will be built in India and the remaining 18 will be imported from the foreign vendor chosen for the project, as part of the PM Narendra Modi-led government’s push for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme.
The Indian Air Force intends to acquire 114 Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) under the ‘Buy Global and Make in India’ scheme, which allows Indian companies to collaborate with a foreign vendor.
“Recently, the Indian Air Force held meetings with the foreign vendors and asked them about the way they would carry out the Make in India project,” government sources told ANI.
According to the plan, after the initial 18 aircraft are imported, the next 36 aircraft will be manufactured in the country, with payments made in both foreign currency and Indian currency, according to sources.
According to the sources, the last 60 aircraft would be the primary responsibility of the Indian partner, and payments would be made only in Indian currency.
According to the sources, the payment in Indian currency would assist the vendors in meeting the project’s goal of having more than 60% ‘Make-in-India’ content.
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Saab, MiG, Irkut Corporation, and Dassault Aviation are among the global aircraft manufacturers expected to participate in the tender.
To maintain its superiority over the neighboring rivals Pakistan and China, the Indian Air Force must rely heavily on these 114 fighter jets.
The 36 Rafale aircraft purchased under emergency orders aided greatly in maintaining an advantage over the Chinese during the Ladakh crisis, which began in 2020, but the numbers are insufficient, and more such capability is required.
The force has already ordered 83 LCA Mk 1A planes, but it still needs more capable planes because a large number of MiG series planes have been phased out or are on their last legs.
The fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft project is progressing satisfactorily, but it will take a long time before it can be inducted into an operational role.
According to the sources, the IAF is also looking for a cost-effective solution for its fighter jet requirement, as it wants a plane that is low on operational costs while also providing more capability to the service.
The IAF is highly satisfied with the operational availability of the Rafale fighter jets and desires a similar capability in future aircraft.
Source:NDTV
