SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has long been on a quest to strengthen its squadron levels to meet growing defense requirements. Among the candidates that have been floated as viable options for India’s multirole fighter jet procurement, Lockheed Martin’s F-35A has emerged as an appealing choice due to its advanced capabilities and established production infrastructure. However, several critical challenges are currently hindering the feasibility of a swift acquisition, even if the IAF places an order.
Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production line, responsible for delivering the F-35A variant, has been at full capacity to meet a slew of backlogged and incoming orders. An IAF official, speaking with IDRW.org, clarified that even if India were to place an order for 60-70 units of the F-35A in 2025, the expected delivery timeline would not see any aircraft arriving until at least 2030.
This delay can be attributed to a few factors. First, Lockheed Martin’s production line is already working to fulfill substantial orders from partner nations in the F-35 program, including the U.S., various NATO members, and countries in the Indo-Pacific. The current production rate of 156 units per year is ambitious yet fully engaged, with supply chain issues further challenging timely deliveries. Lockheed Martin’s production capacity remains unrivaled, however, with its annual output far outpacing competitors like Dassault Aviation’s Rafale production, which is still scaling up and has a considerable backlog of around 180 aircraft.
The complexity of the F-35A program means that even a minor disruption in the global supply chain has the potential to create a ripple effect, impacting the overall production line. Lockheed Martin has faced challenges securing and delivering essential parts for the F-35, leading to production adjustments and delivery delays. While the company has worked diligently to overcome these obstacles, the high dependency on a multi-layered supply chain has created a bottleneck for meeting demand at scale.
Despite the extensive defense cooperation between India and the United States, the F-35A has not been directly offered to India. While some defense analysts speculate that India could negotiate terms to obtain the aircraft, officials familiar with the situation emphasize that the IAF would face a waiting period of at least five to six years for initial deliveries. Furthermore, the acquisition of a fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35A would require India to invest significantly in the accompanying infrastructure, including advanced maintenance facilities, pilot training programs, and integration with existing defense systems.
The IAF, while interested in adding a fifth-generation aircraft to its fleet, is also closely monitoring the timelines and production capacities of other potential suppliers, such as Dassault Aviation. Dassault’s Rafale line has been meeting India’s immediate requirements, though at a slower pace than Lockheed Martin’s F-35 line. This difference in production output, alongside geopolitical considerations, puts India in a unique position as it assesses its fighter jet acquisition strategy for the next decade.