June 13, 2022
2 mins read

IAF plans to build 96 fighter jets in India

The last 60 aircraft would be the main responsibility of the Indian partner and the government would make payments only in Indian currency…reports Asian Lite News

Amid a big push for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme by the PM Narendra Modi-led government, the Indian Air Force is planning to acquire 114 fighter jets of which 96 would be built in India, and rest 18 would be imported from the foreign vendor chosen for the project.

The Indian Air Force has plans of acquiring 114 Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) under ‘Buy Global and Make in India’ scheme under which Indian companies would be allowed to partner with a foreign vendor.

“Recently, the Indian Air Force held meetings with the foreign vendors and asked them about the way they would carry out the Make in India project,” government sources told ANI.

As per the plan, after the initial 18 aircraft are imported, the next 36 aircraft would be manufactured within the country and the payments would be made partially in foreign currency and Indian currency, the sources said.

The last 60 aircraft would be the main responsibility of the Indian partner and the government would make payments only in Indian currency, the sources said.

The payment in Indian currency would help the vendors to achieve the over 60 per cent ‘Make-in-India’ content in the project, the sources said.

Global aircraft manufacturers including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Saab, MiG, Irkut Corporation and Dassault Aviation are expected to participate in the tender.

The Indian Air Force has to rely heavily on these 114 fighter jets for maintaining its superiority over the neighboring rivals Pakistan and China.

The 36 Rafale aircraft procured under emergency orders helped immensely in maintaining an edge over the Chinese during the Ladakh crisis which started in 2020 but the numbers are not enough and more such capability would be required by it.

The force has already placed orders for 83 of the LCA Mk 1A aircraft but it still requires a higher number of capable aircraft as a large number of MiG series planes have either been phased out or are on their last legs.

The fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft project is moving ahead at a satisfactory pace but it will take a lot of time to be able to be inducted in an operational role.

The IAF is also looking for a cost-effective solution for its fighter jet requirement as it wants a plane that is low on operational cost and gives more capability to the service, the sources said.

The IAF is highly satisfied with the operational availability of the Rafale fighter jets and wants similar capability in its future aircraft. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India, EU hold defence consultations

Previous Story

‘Atmanirbhar Bharat to be achieved through Atmanirbhar village’

Next Story

KCR plans to launch new national party soon 

Latest from India News

UNSC Grills Pakistan Over Pahalgam Attack

Though Pakistan claimed that the meeting largely served and achieved the objectives of the UNSC’s meeting, reports showed that it flopped miserably…reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reportedly

Azeez Bags Top Kerala Media Award

Anasudhin Azeez serves as the executive editor and managing director of London Daily, a newspaper headquartered in Fleet Street, London. British-Indian journalist Anasudhin Azeez has been chosen as first recipient of the

India Eyes Top 5 Spot in Global Entertainment

With focused investments, policy support, and infrastructural upgrades, India is on track to position itself as one of the top five live entertainment destinations globally by 2030…reports Asian Lite News Fueled by

Milan Protest Against Pahalgam Terror Strike

Indian diaspora all across the world have protested against the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in which 26 people were killed. ..reports Asian Lite News In a strong show of solidarity, more
Go toTop

Don't Miss

‘Normalization of India-China ties in the interest of Asia, world’

“The normalization of India-China relations is in the interest of

Ex-USCIRF chief slams Obama’s statement

In an interview, Obama said if India does not protect