Aerospace

IAF to acquire 114 fighter jets for Rs 1.5 lakh crore, 96 of them to be made in India

Indian Navy to buy Rafale M fighter plane after IAF?

The Indian Air Force’s current acquisition plan is reaching critical decisions. The Indian Air Force plans to purchase 114 fighter jets, 96 of which will be constructed in India and the remaining 18 would be acquired from a foreign vendor.

Most aircraft manufacturers will not commit to build a few aircraft in any country. However, as Dassault previously stated, they will plan to build in India if they receive a minimum of 100 aircraft. Other manufacturers may follow a similar investment and technology transformation plan.

The Indian Air Force intends to purchase 114 Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) under the ‘Buy Global, Make in India’ scheme, which allows Indian firms to collaborate with foreign firms.

According to the plan, once the initial 18 aircraft are imported, the next 36 aircraft will be constructed in the nation, with payments made in both foreign and Indian currencies, according to the sources.

According to the sources, the Indian partner would be responsible for the final 60 aircraft, and the government would only make payments in Indian currency.

The payment in Indian currency will aid the suppliers in achieving the project’s above 60% “Make-in-India” content, according to the sources.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Saab, MiG, Irkut Corporation, and Dassault Aviation are among the global aircraft manufacturers likely to participate in the tender.

For the Indian Air Force to preserve its advantage over neighbouring adversaries Pakistan and China, these 114 fighter jets are essential.

The 36 Rafale aircraft purchased under emergency orders aided much in retaining an advantage over the Chinese throughout the Ladakh crisis that began in 2020, but the numbers are insufficient, and more such capabilities will be necessary.

The force has already placed orders for 83 LCA Mk 1A planes, but it still needs more capable planes because a substantial number of MiG series jets have been phased out or are nearing the end of their useful lives.

The fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft project is progressing satisfactorily, but it will take a long time before it can be put into service.

The total cost of the agreement is expected to be approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The Indian Air Force is considering purchasing these Multirole Fighter Aircraft under the Buy India, Make in India initiative. Indian enterprises will be able to work with a foreign vendor to build these planes under this system. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Saab MIG Irkut Corporation, and Dassault Aviation are among the global aircraft manufacturers anticipated to participate in the tender process.

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.