Govt Seeks ‘Non-Controversial’ Path for Multirole Fighter Jet Acquisition
The Indian government is exploring a “non-controversial” approach to acquire 114 multirole fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), aiming to avoid the controversy that surrounded the 2016 Rafale deal.
The decision comes after the Rafale acquisition, which faced political scrutiny and required the sharing of confidential details with the Supreme Court to settle the issue.
Multirole Fighter Jets: A Strategic Necessity
While the 36 Rafale jets were purchased in good faith, the ensuing political controversy has prompted the government to carefully consider how to move forward with this new acquisition. The government has already acknowledged the IAF’s requirement for these jets, and is currently working on selecting an acquisition model that avoids the pitfalls of the previous deal.
Key considerations include the selection process, ensuring a significant amount of indigenous content in the aircraft, and addressing any potential concerns before issuing a formal tender.
IAF’s Urgent Need for New Fighters
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh recently underscored the urgency of acquiring multirole fighter jets, stating that the need for these aircraft is “as of yesterday.” While the IAF has placed orders for 83 indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1, and 97 more are in the pipeline, Singh stressed that the timelines for delivery and development need to be strictly followed.
The government has been deliberating over the acquisition for six years, and the IAF continues to await approval to move forward with the tender process and flight trials for these crucial jets.
