SOURCE: AFI
In a surprising turn of events, America’s apparent alignment with Pakistani narratives during the recent India-Pakistan tensions may have jeopardled a significant backlash in New Delhi, potentially jeopardling billions of dollars in future weapons sales for U.S. defense giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. As India accelerates its shift away from Russian military hardware under pressure from the Trump administration, sources within the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) suggest that the U.S. media’s perceived pandering to Pakistani claims during Operation Sindoor has kindled fury among Indian officials.
This could jeopardize follow-up orders for platforms like the CH-47 Chinook, P-8I Poseidon, and C-130J Super Hercules, while dimming prospects for American contenders in India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) competition, including the coveted F-35A stealth fighter. With India reportedly planning to stall talks with the U.S. until the end of Trump’s presidency.
The escalation between India and Pakistan, triggered by a Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, culminated in India’s Operation Sindoor on May 9–10, which saw the Indian Air Force (IAF) devastate 11 of 12 Pakistani Air Force (PAF) bases using BrahMos missiles and decoy UAVs. While India presented evidence linking the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan-based groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Pakistani officials denied involvement, claiming the strikes targeted civilians and not terrorist camps.
Certain U.S. media outlets, including reports from Newsweek and Reuters, appeared to amplify Pakistan’s narrative by highlighting its calls for a “neutral investigation” and quoting Pakistani officials who contested India’s claims of targeting terror infrastructure. For instance, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif was cited claiming that India’s strikes hit civilian sites, a narrative that Indian officials viewed as disinformation aimed at deflecting blame. This coverage, perceived by New Delhi as uncritical acceptance of Pakistan’s position, sparked outrage within the MoD, which saw it as part of a broader U.S. campaign to balance its South Asian alliances at India’s expense.
The Trump administration’s initial reluctance to intervene, followed by a high-profile ceasefire announcement, further fueled India’s suspicions. Vice President JD Vance’s comment on May 8 that the conflict was “fundamentally none of our business” and President Trump’s subsequent claim of brokering a ceasefire were seen as attempts to project U.S. influence while glossing over Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri publicly contradicted Trump’s assertion that trade discussions were part of the ceasefire talks, emphasizing that India’s military actions compelled Pakistan to back down.
India’s defense procurement strategy has been undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the need to reduce dependence on Russian equipment amid geopolitical shifts and Western sanctions on Moscow. The U.S. has actively courted India to fill this gap, with Trump pushing for increased arms sales during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in February 2025. Trump announced plans to boost military exports to India, including an offer for the Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighter, a move aimed at countering China’s influence and weaning India off Russian platforms like the S-400 and Su-30MKI.
India has already procured significant U.S. systems, including 22 AH-64E Apache helicopters, 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, 12 P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and 22 C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, with deals worth over $20 billion since 2008. Follow-up orders, such as six additional P-8Is approved in 2021 for $2.42 billion, were seen as likely, given India’s need to modernize its navy and air force. The IAF’s MRFA competition for 114 multi-role fighters was another opportunity for U.S. firms, with Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin’s F-21 (an India-specific F-16 variant) as contenders, alongside a potential F-35A offer.
However, the MoD’s frustration with the U.S. media’s coverage and the Trump administration’s perceived equivocation on Pakistan has shifted the calculus. According to sources cited by the Armed Forces International (AFI), MoD officials have indicated that the chances of U.S. firms winning the MRFA contract were already slim due to India’s preference for local manufacturing and technology transfer, as emphasized by IAF Chief Air Marshal AP Singh. The F-35A, despite its advanced capabilities, was seen as a possible game-changer, but its high cost ($100–110 million per unit, plus operational expenses) and the U.S.’s reluctance to share technology made it a tough sell.
Now, AFI reports that the MoD is “furious” over the U.S. media’s handling of the India-Pakistan conflict and is reconsidering its engagement with American defense firms. The offer of the F-35A, once a potential lifeline for Lockheed Martin, is no longer sufficient to sway India, with officials signaling a broader reluctance to pursue additional U.S. weapons.
The MoD’s strategy, as per AFI sources, appears to be one of deliberate delay. While India may continue discussions with U.S. firms for platforms like the P-8I and CH-47, these talks are reportedly intended to “kill time” and avoid direct confrontation with the Trump administration. The goal is to wait out Trump’s presidency, which began its second term in January 2025, in hopes of a more favorable U.S. stance under a future administration.
This approach reflects India’s broader frustration with U.S. foreign policy, particularly Trump’s decision to resume $397 million in funding for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, a move that rekindled Indian concerns about U.S. reliability as a partner. The F-16s, used by Pakistan against India in the 2019 Balakot skirmish, are a sore point, with New Delhi skeptical of U.S. assurances that their use is restricted to counterterrorism operations.
India’s pivot is also driven by its “Make in India” initiative, which prioritizes indigenous development and partnerships with countries willing to share technology. The indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, with ?15,000 crore already committed, is a cornerstone of this strategy, and the MoD is reportedly leaning toward bolstering it over importing U.S. fighters. France’s Dassault Rafale, already in IAF service with 36 jets, is a frontrunner for the MRFA due to existing infrastructure and India-specific enhancements, while Russia has offered local production of the Su-57.
The potential loss of Indian contracts could be a significant blow to Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which rely on foreign military sales to offset declining domestic orders. Boeing’s CH-47F and P-8I programs were poised for follow-up orders, with India’s navy expressing interest in additional P-8Is to counter China in the Indian Ocean. The C-130J, used for special operations and disaster relief, was also a candidate for further acquisitions. However, the MoD’s current stance suggests these deals are at risk, with India likely to explore alternatives from Europe or Israel.
Lockheed Martin’s hopes for the MRFA, particularly with the F-35A, appear increasingly remote. The F-35’s high costs and lack of technology transfer clash with India’s requirements, and the MoD’s anger over U.S. media coverage has further eroded trust.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.