SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At the recently held India Today Conclave, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) AP Singh addressed swirling speculation about the potential acquisition of the U.S.-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet, firmly stating, “No comments.” He further clarified that the IAF has not given any thought to purchasing the aircraft, nor has any official offer been made by the United States to India.
Emphasizing the need for a thorough analysis before considering such a significant procurement, ACM Singh noted that the IAF has yet to evaluate the F-35 fully or determine whether even a limited acquisition—such as 10 aircraft—would meet its operational requirements. This statement puts to rest, at least for now, the ongoing buzz about India potentially joining the global F-35 program, while highlighting the IAF’s cautious and methodical approach to fleet modernization.
Speculation about India’s interest in the F-35 has persisted for last few weeks, fueled by occasional reports of informal discussions during U.S.-India defense dialogues and the broader push under the U.S.-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) to deepen military cooperation. Proponents argue that acquiring even a small fleet of F-35s could provide the IAF with a strategic edge, particularly in contested environments, while offering opportunities for technology transfer and interoperability with U.S. and allied forces. However, ACM Singh’s remarks at the India Today Conclave make it clear that such speculation remains premature and unsubstantiated.
ACM Singh’s statement at the conclave was unequivocal: “Actually, we have not looked at it. IAF needs to analyze the aircraft fully and say 10 F-35s is good enough, and IAF has not given any thought on its purchase nor any official offer has been made to India.” This response underscores the IAF’s deliberate approach to capability development, prioritizing a comprehensive evaluation of operational needs, financial constraints, and strategic alignment over reacting to external pressures or media-driven narratives.
The IAF chief’s comments also dispel the notion of an imminent deal or formal proposal from the U.S. While the U.S. has occasionally hinted at offering the F-35 to India as part of broader defense cooperation—particularly in light of India’s diversification away from traditional supplier Russia—no official offer has materialized. This aligns with the U.S. government’s stringent export controls on the F-35 program, which is governed by strict technology-sharing agreements and requires approval from multiple U.S. agencies, including Congress. Given India’s historical reliance on Russian platforms and its ongoing efforts to develop indigenous systems like the AMCA, integrating the F-35 into the IAF’s fleet would also raise complex logistical and geopolitical questions.
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