The Indian Air Force plays a crucial role in securing Indian airspace and also in India's power projection in South Asia and Indian Ocean. Therefore, modernizing and expanding the Indian Air Force is a top priority for the Indian government.The minimum sanctioned strength of the IAF is 39.5 squadrons of combat aircraft, with a healthy level of 44 squadrons.However, this level was achieved only in the mid-1980s, with the acquisition of the Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s and Jaguars. In addition, at the time, most IAF aircraft were comparatively new, being less than 10 years old. Most of the older aircraft would have become obsolete by the mid-1990s, with the rest needing replacement by 2010.

            Aging aircraft were not replaced, for reasons mentioned below, which led to frequent crashes and attrition losses. The Force levels have fallen to 34 combat squadrons, a big worry for the IAF. Further phasing out of aircraft has meant that the IAF now operates only 32 fighter squadrons, which represents a serious depletion of force levels. Even with the planned MMRCA procurement, the IAF will reach sanctioned strength only by 2017.

            This has led to a threat to India's traditional numerical-superiority over Pakistan's air force, and erosion of its position as compared to China, another Asian power. The ratios of aircraft has fallen from 2.79:1 to around 1.30:1 and could potentially fall further to 1.15:1 in the coming years. For the first time, the PAF would be inducting BVR missiles with its purchase of 500 AIM-120C5 AMRAAM missiles. Pakistan's acquisition of 18 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft from the U.S., and future JF-17 Thunder production, along with China's much bigger and modernizing air force, has led to further concern from the IAF.

Indian MRCA

            The Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) Competition, is an ongoing competition to supply the Indian Air Force (IAF) with 126 multi-role combat aircraft. The Defence Ministry has allocated Indian 42,000 crore (US$9.32 billion) for the purchase of these aircraft,making it India's single largest defence deal ever made in history.

The six MRCA aircraft: Rafale, Typhoon, F-16C/D, F/A-18E/F, JAS 39 Gripen and MiG-35.

On 27 April 2011, the IAF shortlisted two of the six competing fighter jets — Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale.

Though there were no official declarations about the deal and the evaluation results, I have certain things from articles and news paper which might have shortlisted other four Aircraft

F-18-manufactured by Boeing (USA) has been shortlisted because of engine issues and inadequate details

Gripen - manufactured by Sweden has been shortlisted due to inferior radar system

MIG-35 – manufactured by Russia came with great spirits, advanced technology and maneuverability, failed to clear due to poor engine performance during IAF trials

F-16 – Manufactured by Lockheed martin (USA) an proven multirole aircraft, failed due to two main facts that it has no future prospects and it’s with all our enemies

            All the above aircrafts are proven bests but lost in front of the beasts, the Euro fighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale

Rafale

Dassault Rafale: This machine is highly agile and proven to be highly maneuverable out smarted others in a very good margin during IAF trials, It has an added advantage that it can be easily inducted by making fewer changes to the MIRAGE Hangar ( multirole aircraft purchased by India from Dassault which proved its strength in Kargil )   

Typoon

Eurofighter Typhoon: Highly agile and proven advantageous aircraft with its multirole capability and Political backgrounds favored this.

Official conformation about the deal is expected to be released soon.


-Nirmal