India's Defence Ministry Strengthens Indigenisation Requirements for Air Force's MRFA Fighter Jet Proposal
The Ministry of Defence in India has identified significant gaps in the Indian Air Force’s proposal for acquiring 114 Medium Role Fighter Aircraft. The Ministry is calling for comprehensive revisions and stronger industrial commitments before advancing to the next stage of evaluation.
The Ministry's review pointed out the lack of clarity regarding workshare distribution, lifecycle cost evaluation, and domestic industrial involvement. Officials have requested that Dassault Aviation, currently the leading contender with its Rafale jets, provide a more detailed plan for indigenisation. This includes assured technology transfer, localising the supply chain, and establishing a complete Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul ecosystem in India. The emphasis is on manufacturing critical systems, integrating avionics, and ensuring export-compliant production capacities to achieve long-term self-reliance.
This approach by the Defence Ministry reflects the structured industrial participation models used in previous deals, like the C295 transport aircraft and naval programs, which required compliance with Make in India provisions and local production standards. The focus on validating lifecycle costs and operational sustainment frameworks aims to ensure predictable expenses, availability of domestic spare parts, and flexibility for long-term upgrades.
As the evaluation process for the MRFA proposal is revised, timelines may be adjusted as teams work to incorporate these enhanced requirements and secure binding commitments from industry partners. This policy shift indicates a transition from rapid acquisition to co-development and strategic partnerships, strengthening India’s defense manufacturing base.
Impact on Dassault and Other Contenders
The scrutiny on Dassault Aviation has intensified compared to its previous Rafale contracts, necessitating higher levels of localisation and technology sharing. Should Dassault fail to meet the industrial benchmarks, it could provide an opening for other global contenders like Boeing F-15EX, Lockheed Martin F-21, SAAB Gripen-E, and Eurofighter Typhoon, especially if they offer deeper collaboration or joint production agreements with India.
The Ministry's focus on binding industrial participation and transparent lifecycle costs underscores a decisive move towards strategic autonomy and indigenous capability. This shift prioritizes India’s national interests and long-term defense self-reliance over immediate procurement timelines.
