The central government is taking historic steps towards further strengthening the Indian Air Force. The mega deal for the purchase of 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) at an estimated cost of about Rs 3.25 lakh crore is likely to be finalized by the end of this financial year, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said. He made this key announcement at a media conference organized on Saturday on the occasion of Air Force Day. If

this proposal, which was initiated almost two decades ago, materializes, it will be the largest acquisition deal in the history of the country's defense sector. The deal will be finalized as part of the Government-to-Government (G2G) framework with France. If this deal is completed, the total number of Rafale aircraft will reach 176, including the 36 Rafales already in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the 26 Rafale-M jets ordered for the Navy. The Air Chief Marshal said that discussions are currently underway on the pricing details and other key issues related to this huge deal.

AP Singh clarified that the declining number of fighter squadrons in the Air Force is a concern and in this context, at least 36 to 40 aircraft are required every year in the next few years. He stressed that the Air Force's capability is the most crucial in the country's military power and hence there is a need to continuously increase it.

Explaining the importance of Atmanirbhar Bharat, he reminded the need to manufacture fighter jet engines indigenously. "We have to become an artificial intelligence (AI)-based military force. Self-reliance is very important for war preparedness," he said. 

He hinted that if there is a delay in the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program being developed domestically, other aircraft may be considered as an alternative. "Russia has offered us SU-57 (stealth) jets, but no decision has been taken on it yet," he said in response to a question.

Recently, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said that the Rafale deal will enable the country to set up a second fighter aircraft production facility, thereby giving a further boost to the indigenisation of defence products. He made it clear that along with the Rafale deal, the indigenously developed Tejas Mark 1A programme will also continue and will be further enhanced by installing world-class radars and weapons.