Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Programme

The Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme is the Indian Air Force's plan to buy 114 modern fighter jets of the "medium" class. A multi-role fighter can do many jobs in the same flight: fight enemy planes in the air, strike targets on the ground, and gather information. India needs these jets to fill the gap left by old aircraft that are retiring. As of 2026, the government has chosen the French Rafale for this programme.

Why does India need it?

The government has sanctioned the IAF to have 42 fighter squadrons. A squadron is a unit of about 16 to 18 fighter jets. This number was set so that India can defend itself even if it faces two hostile neighbours at the same time (a "two-front" situation). But old jets like the MiG-21, MiG-27 and early Jaguars have been retiring faster than new ones arrive.

After the last MiG-21 squadrons retired on 26 September 2025, the IAF was left with about 29 fighter squadrons. That is roughly 13 squadrons, or more than 200 jets, short of the sanctioned strength. Think of it like a cricket team that is supposed to have 11 players but is fielding only 8.

Where did it come from? The long MMRCA story

India's search for a medium fighter has a long history:

• 2007: The Ministry of Defence issued a tender (a formal request for offers) for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). Six jets from the US, Europe, Russia and Sweden competed.
• 2012: After tests, the French Rafale (made by Dassault Aviation) was found to be the lowest bidder (called L1), and talks began. The plan was to buy 18 jets ready-made and build 108 in India with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• 2015: Talks got stuck over cost and over who would take responsibility for jets built in India. The 126-jet tender was withdrawn.
• 2016: Instead, India and France signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on 23 September 2016 to buy 36 Rafale jets in flying condition, for about €7.87 billion. These were delivered by 2022 and form two squadrons, at Ambala (Haryana) and Hasimara (West Bengal).
• 2018: Since 36 jets were too few, the IAF issued a Request for Information (a first enquiry to companies) on 6 April 2018 for about 110 fighters. This new effort was called the MRFA. The number later became 114.
• February 2026: The government approved buying 114 Rafales under a government-to-government route with France. Reports say most of them will be made in India.

How does a defence purchase like this move forward?

It follows the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP). In simple steps:

1. The armed force explains what it needs.
2. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister, gives Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). This is the first formal "yes, we need this".
3. Technical and cost talks are held. In a government-to-government deal, India talks directly with the French government, and not through an open global tender.
4. The final deal goes to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister, for approval, because it is very large.
5. The contract is signed, and deliveries begin some years later.

What is a "government-to-government" (G2G) deal?

In an open tender, many companies compete and the cheapest that meets the rules wins. In a G2G deal, two governments sign directly. It is faster and the seller's government stands behind the deal. But it has less price competition. India used the G2G route for the 36 Rafales (2016) and the 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Navy (contract signed on 28 April 2025, worth about ₹63,000 crore).

What is the Rafale?

The Rafale is a twin-engine, 4.5-generation multi-role fighter made by France's Dassault Aviation. It can carry long-range air-to-air missiles (Meteor), cruise missiles (SCALP) and even nuclear weapons. Reports say the new jets would be of the newer F4 standard. The IAF's existing Rafales are of the F3R standard. Having the same jet type for 36 + 114 aircraft makes training, spare parts and maintenance simpler.

India's position and the bigger plan

The MRFA is one piece of a larger plan to rebuild the IAF:

• Tejas Mk1A (made by HAL): 83 ordered in 2021 and 97 more in September 2025, total 180. Deliveries have been slow because the American GE F404 engines arrived late.
• Tejas Mk2: a larger version, under development.
• AMCA: India's own fifth-generation stealth fighter, expected in the next decade.
• Su-30MKI: the backbone of the IAF, with about 12 squadrons, being upgraded.

The MRFA is meant to fill the gap until Indian-made jets arrive in large numbers.

Commonly confused concepts

• MMRCA vs MRFA: MMRCA was the old 2007 tender for 126 jets, withdrawn in 2015. MRFA is the newer programme for 114 jets that began with the 2018 RFI.
• 36 Rafale (2016) vs 26 Rafale Marine (2025) vs 114 Rafale (MRFA): The 36 are IAF jets bought ready-made. The 26 Rafale-M are for the Navy's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The 114 are the new IAF jets, mostly to be made in India.
• Sanctioned vs actual squadron strength: Sanctioned is what the government has allowed (42). Actual is what the IAF really has (about 29 in 2026).
• 4.5-generation vs 5th-generation: The Rafale is 4.5-generation: very advanced, but not designed to be stealthy from the ground up. Fifth-generation jets (like the F-35, J-20, Su-57 or the future AMCA) are built for stealth.

Issues, criticism and the way forward

• Delays: The search for a medium fighter has taken almost 20 years. Meanwhile, squadron numbers have fallen.
• Cost: At around ₹3.25 lakh crore, the MRFA would be among India's largest defence deals. Critics ask whether the money could instead speed up Indian fighters. Supporters say the gap is too urgent to wait.
• Self-reliance: How much of the jet will truly be made in India, and how much technology will be shared, matters for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance). Key parts like engines and radars often remain foreign.
• Single-vendor risk: A G2G deal with one supplier gives speed but less bargaining power.
• Way forward: experts suggest faster decisions, firm timelines for Indian-made jets and engines, and a steady order pipeline so factories in India stay busy.

Concepts to Know

• Squadron: A unit of the Air Force, usually with about 16 to 18 fighter aircraft.
• Multi-role fighter: A fighter jet that can perform several missions, like air combat and ground attack, often in the same flight.
• Tender / RFI / RFP: A tender is the government's formal process to buy something. An RFI (Request for Information) is an early enquiry to learn what sellers can offer. An RFP (Request for Proposal) is the formal request for bids.
• L1 bidder: The lowest-cost bidder that meets all the technical requirements.
• Two-front war: A situation where a country has to fight enemies on two borders at the same time.
• Acceptance of Necessity (AoN): The first formal approval from the Defence Acquisition Council saying that a weapon or platform is needed.