IAF Chief Flies Sortie in Eurofighter Aircraft at German Airbase, Potential Impact on MRFA 2 Deal

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari flies a Eurofighter Typhoon in Germany, raising speculation about the MRFA 2 deal's impact on France and the USA.

On a recent visit to Germany, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari took to the skies in a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft. This sortie, conducted at a German airbase, is seen as a significant event, particularly in the context of the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) 2 deal.

The visit was made at the invitation of Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of the German Air Force. During his tour, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari also attended the ILA 2024, an international aerospace exhibition held in Germany. The Indian Air Force (IAF) highlighted this visit on social media, noting the ongoing and strengthening ties between India and Germany.

The IAF's official statement on X (formerly Twitter) read: “CAS Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is on an official visit to Germany on invitation by his German counterpart Lt Gen Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of the German Air Force. During the tour, the CAS also visited the ILA 2024 and took to the German skies in a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft."

The timing of this sortie is particularly noteworthy. The MRFA 2 deal, aimed at acquiring 114 multi-role fighter jets for the IAF, is currently in the evaluation phase. This deal has attracted bids from several major aerospace companies, including France’s Dassault Aviation (Rafale) and the USA’s Lockheed Martin (F-21) and Boeing (F/A-18 Super Hornet).

The Eurofighter Typhoon, developed by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, is one of the contenders in this deal. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari’s experience flying the Typhoon could influence India’s final decision, given the operational insights gained from such sorties.

Additionally, the IAF announced its plans to host the German Air Force in India for the first multinational Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024 later this year. This exercise aims to enhance bilateral military cooperation and operational synergy between the two air forces.

As India evaluates its options for the MRFA 2 deal, the recent events in Germany add an interesting dimension to the decision-making process. The presence and performance of the Eurofighter Typhoon in these contexts might provide a competitive edge, potentially impacting the dynamics of the deal and posing a challenge to the offerings from France and the USA.

The visit underscores the growing defense cooperation between India and Germany and highlights the strategic considerations involved in India’s quest to modernize its air force capabilities.