Countdown To Disaster? IAF Fighter Squadrons To Drop To Dangerous Levels Without Timely Tejas Induction And MRFA Procurement

The Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter strength could go down to dangerous territory if the indigenous 'Tejas' delivery is not fast-tracked and 114 medium-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) are not bought, reported Economic Times.

The report stated the IAF's reply to a question of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence.

The IAF currently has 31 fighter squadrons and with the impending retirement of three squadrons of vintage Mig-21 by 2025, IAF will be left with less than 30 squadrons, since replacements for the series of MiG combat aircraft have not been procured.

The sanctioned squadron strength for the IAF is 42, but it is unlikely to reach this number in the near future.

Even maintaining levels of 29-31 squadrons requires placing orders for 114 MRFA, the IAF representative said.

"The rate at which we are going, if we get the aircraft that we have placed on order (LCA Mk1A) and if the case for 114 (medium) fighters progresses, then by 2030 we can maintain strength of 29-31 squadrons. We should not go below this. We also need to phase out our MiG 21 fighters," the IAF representative added.

The progress in the plan to buy 114 MRFA from a foreign vendor and manufacture them in India has been slow as well.

As IAF has already bought 36 Dassault Rafales from the French, the chances of the Rafale being the winner of the 114 MRFA contest are very high.

These 114 MRFA and 83 indigenous Tejas MK-1As can plug some gaps for the retiring MiGs, but they are not enough.

"We will make a happy mix and that is why we are going in for the MRFA contract for 114 aircraft. It was, actually, eight squadrons (each) of LCA and MRFA," the IAF representative said to the parliamentary panel.

According to various experts, the Indian Air Force will likely have only 35 squadrons in the 2030-35 timeframe.

Moreover, to reach this number, there should be no delay in MRFA, Tejas MK-1A, and the under-development Tejas MK-2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft projects.

Earlier, in Aero India 2023, there were reports that the IAF is planning to buy another 50 Tejas MK-1A apart from the 83 Tejas MK-1A already contracted.