India is expected to invite bids this year for 114 multi-role fighter jets, a step in line with the effort to bolster the country’s air combat fleet, Reuters cited two sources as saying.
The project to induct these warplanes, known as the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, has drawn interest from major defence firms, including Lockheed Martin and Boeing from the US, France’s Dassault Aviation, the European Eurofighter, and Sweden-based Saab AB in addition to Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation.
Many of these companies, which responded to India’s initial request for information in 2018, are now refining their bids, Reuters reported.
The move comes as the Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a shortfall of squadrons while regional rivals China and Pakistan expand their air power.
The strength of IAF’s fleet has dropped to 31 squadrons, well below the approved 42 squadrons.
The drop in the number of Indian fighter jets is largely attributed to the aging fleet of Russian and Soviet-era aircraft. Meanwhile, China continues to induct advanced fighter jets and extend military support to Pakistan.
Lockheed Martin is pitching its F-21, an India-specific version of the F-16, which would be manufactured in India through a local partnership. The company has already established a joint facility with India’s Tata Group in Hyderabad, where it produces F-16 wings and plans to expand production to the F-21.
Separately, President Donald Trump said Thursday that the US would eventually sell F-35 stealth fighters to India, though India’s foreign secretary later clarified that no formal process had begun.
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) may offer its Sukhoi Su-57, a fifth-generation stealth fighter. The Su-57 reportedly features advanced engines, radar, and avionics and is an upgrade over earlier Russian contenders such as the Su-35 and MiG-35.
Russia has long been India’s primary arms supplier, but the Ukraine war has disrupted Moscow’s ability to deliver spare parts and new equipment, prompting India to diversify its defence imports. Russian officials brought the Su-57 to Aero India 2025 and reportedly offered to build it in India, leveraging existing Su-30 production lines. India had previously planned to co-develop the Su-57, then called the T-50, but scrapped the program more than a decade ago.
Saab, which is offering its JAS-39 Gripen E, has developed a supply chain blueprint for India and is actively scouting local partners, according to Kent-Åke Molin, head of the Gripen India campaign. Molin said Indian officials had responded “very positively” to Saab’s proposal, pointing out the aircraft’s cost-efficiency.
With inputs from Reuters
Link to article –
