India is planning to buy 114 fighter planes under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program. Aircraft manufacturing companies of many countries are involved in this race. In this, Swedish company SAAB is also looking to sell its Gripen fighter jet and Rafale is also a major contender.
The Indian Air Force is planning to buy 114 fighter jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program. But this pressure has been put by America at a time when some disputes have started between the two countries regarding trade. America is constantly threatening to impose tariffs on Indian goods. Apart from this, Donald Trump has already offered F-35 stealth fighter aircraft to India. According to media reports, America has indicated that if India decides to buy American fighter jets, it can get trade benefits.
The Air Force is trying to understand their technical capabilities in depth before taking any decision.
There is no doubt that the American F-21 and F-15EX are excellent fighter jets. But there are serious questions about their operation in Indian conditions. F-21 and F-15EX are advanced variants of old American fighter jets. But both these fighter jets do not have the capability to compete with China’s fifth generation stealth fighter jets like J-20 and J-35A. Both of these do not have such features that they can compete with Chinese fighter jets. It is also a matter of concern for India because Pakistan has already announced to buy J-35 from China. So why would India want to invest in such fighter jets, which do not match its needs. Although America has offered F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, but American aircraft come with many conditions. America is not at all ready to make F-35 in India. Whereas India wants production in the country at all costs.
India’s MRFA tender is for the purchase of medium weight fighter aircraft, but the F-15EX is a heavy fighter aircraft. Therefore, it does not fit on this scale for the Indian Air Force. Although it is still a better option than the F-21, India is already operating the Russian Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, which is as heavy as the F-15EX. In such a situation, the F-15EX does not match the operational needs of the Indian Air Force. India wants a medium range fighter aircraft so that the Indian Air Force can balance performance, capability and maintenance in its fleet. But the Indian Air Force does not want to come under any political pressure.
The US Air Force has designed it for exceptional performance. F-15EX is equipped with Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejection Rack (AMBER) system. It is capable of flying with 22 air-to-air missiles simultaneously. It is much more lethal than the previous F-15 model. Apart from this, one of its major strengths helps in attacking multiple targets simultaneously through the AMBER missile rack system. Apart from this, it also gives it the ability to carry small-sized bombs to accurately attack a target.
