The Air Force faces a looming fleet crunch as Jaguars, MiG-29s and Mirage-2000s near retirement. Former IAF Pilot, Gp Capt Ajay Ahlawat argues in such a situation, Rafale emerges as a costly but unavoidable option while delays continue in indigenous programmes. In TOI's Line of Defence podcast episode 3, he said how India's indigenous LCA MK2 has on paper, with similar capabilities as Rafale F2 or F3, is yet to take flight because of which India is spending $40 billion on importing the aircraft instead of building in India highlight IAF veteran.