India gets attractive offers for fighter jets from both Russia and France. Russia has proposed to increase the SU-57E agreement from 60 to 126 aircraft, which can compete with Rafael. Meanwhile, France hosted the M88–4 engine of Saffron as an alternative to the F414 for Rafael and Tejas MK-2. These proposals will affect the MRFA (multi -purpose fighter aircraft) tender and Tejas program. Russia’s SU-57E proposal: Cheap but risky Russia played a big bet by calling Su-57th better than Rafael F4. Suggestion … will the retired MIG-21 fighter aircraft become drones? Number and cost: 126 aircraft each cost $ 80 million (about 670 crores). This will increase the budget of 114 MRFA aircraft. Technology Transfer: Full source code, 70–80% Localization (production in Hal Nashik), Integration and Export Rights of Indian Weapons (Weapons, Ruddram). Capacity: Fifth generation stealth, internal arms bay, supercondality, open architecture. Reach 3500 km, Speed Mac 2, payload 10 tons. Benefits: Affordable, upgraded, compatible with SU-30mki. Aero India is displayed in 2025. Poor: SU-57’s Stealth Radar-Dwarsnit (RCS) is 0.1-1 square meters (more than 0.001 square meters F-35), engine al-41f1s (THRST 147 KN, but immature). Delay in delivery due to restrictions. The Indian Air Force wants a fifth -generation fighter, but the SU -57 has currently assessed a ‘4 ++’ rating. Russia’s proposal could replace the MRFA, but the Ukraine War questioned Russia’s credibility. France’s Rafale + Safran proposal: Reliable but expensive France introduced the ‘Treasury’ of Tejas MK-2 engines with Rafael F4. Main part … Rafael F4: G2G agreement of 114 aircraft, every price of $ 12 million (about 1,000 crores). 60% localization, payment of upgrade. The first 36 Rafael F3-R (2016) and 26 Rafael M (Navy) were successful. Captains: 4.5 generations, Aesa -Radar, meteoric missile, range 3700 km, Speed Mac 1.8, payload 9.5 tons. Siddha in Operation Sindoor (2025). F4 has better sensors and stealth. Safran M88-4 engine (for Tejas MK-2): G414 (98 KN-push) option offers M88-4 95-105 KN. Plug-end game (minimum design change), up to package. The first flight of Tejas MK-2 in 2026 with F414, later changes in M88–4. Is also suggested for 120 kN engine of AMCA. Benefits: Siddha technology (Rafael 500+ flights), strong ties with France, export capacity (M88 in the European market). Delayed backup (delay in the delivery of F404). Cons: Duration, upgrade expensive, 100% to. The development of M88-4 will take 2-3 years, the risk of delay. The French proposal promotes ‘make in India’, but further increases the dependence. SU-57 is better: Be cheap, be of the fifth generation and need more autonomy. However, the stealth is low, and the engine is immature. If Rafal is better: Immediately deployment, performance is proven. M88-4, Tejas will make MK-2 self-sufficient. The Russian proposal looks cheap and more stealth, but is more risky. The French package offers long -term reliability and benefits. The Indian Air Force needs the fifth generation (AMCA), so Rafal + M88-4 is a better option. The final decision must be made to the Ministry of Defense, but attention will be focused on confidence and costs.
Russia’s wonderful offer over SU-57, France also opened the box, which will be the profit agreement
