The long-awaited Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which seeks to purchase 114 cutting-edge fighter planes, is facing a new hurdle. The cost of domestic production is predicted to be between $20 million and $30 million higher than the price of direct acquisition for each airplane. In comparison to buying planes directly from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), manufacturing them locally, which is a critical component of the Make in India program, would be far more expensive. The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block III, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Russian MiG-35, and the Dassault Rafale are the four twin-engine competitors in the MRFA bid. The Saab Gripen-E and the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block V (marketed as the F-21) are two other possible single-engine options. Although all six combatants provide sophisticated capabilities, the high expenses associated with establishing domestic production lines, creating specialized infrastructure, and training a local workforce will push the ultimate cost per unit far higher than the price of purchasing directly from OEMs.
