SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to recommend the acquisition of stealth aircraft when consulted by the government, a senior government source revealed. This strategic push is driven primarily by India’s evolving threat assessment in its neighborhood, where regional adversaries are rapidly advancing their aerial capabilities. The potential purchase of such advanced platforms is seen as a critical step to maintain air superiority and counter emerging challenges, particularly from China and its growing influence over Pakistan.
At the heart of the IAF’s advocacy lies China’s expanding stealth technology prowess. Beijing has already operationalized fifth-generation stealth fighters like the J-20 and is reportedly in the process of developing sixth-generation jets, which promise even greater advancements in stealth, sensor fusion, and autonomous capabilities. More alarmingly for India, China is said to be finalizing a deal to supply 40 fifth-generation J-35 fighters—an export variant of its stealth aircraft—to Pakistan, India’s long-standing rival. This development could significantly tilt the balance of air power in the region, compelling India to bolster its own capabilities.
The prospect of acquiring stealth aircraft gained prominence following recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump during a joint news conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump hinted at America’s willingness to facilitate the eventual sale of its cutting-edge F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters to India, signaling a potential deepening of Indo-U.S. defense ties. The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is widely regarded as one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, boasting stealth capabilities, multi-role versatility, and a sophisticated sensor suite.
However, the government source cautioned that any decision to pursue the U.S. offer would hinge on multiple factors. Cost remains a primary consideration, as the F-35 comes with a hefty price tag—not only for the aircraft itself but also for the extensive infrastructure, training, and maintenance ecosystem required to sustain it. India would need to establish a robust support framework, including secure supply chains, specialized hangars, and trained personnel, to fully integrate such an advanced platform into its air force. The source emphasized that these logistical and financial aspects would be carefully evaluated before committing to a deal.
The IAF’s interest in stealth aircraft aligns with its broader modernization efforts to address capability gaps and prepare for future conflicts. With a current fleet dominated by fourth-generation fighters like the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, and the indigenously developed Tejas, the addition of fifth-generation platforms would mark a generational leap. The IAF has already expressed enthusiasm for the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). However, with the AMCA still years away from operational deployment, an interim acquisition of proven platforms like the F-35 could bridge the gap.
China’s rapid military buildup and its deepening defense ties with Pakistan have intensified the urgency of this decision. The J-35 sale to Pakistan, if confirmed, would equip India’s western neighbor with a stealth-capable air force, potentially offsetting the IAF’s numerical and technological advantages. Meanwhile, China’s sixth-generation ambitions underscore the long-term challenge of maintaining parity with a technologically assertive adversary along India’s northern borders.
While the F-35 offer presents an attractive opportunity, India must weigh it against its strategic and economic priorities. The source noted that any deal with the U.S. would likely involve complex negotiations, including technology transfer considerations and assurances of operational autonomy—key concerns for India given its emphasis on self-reliance in defense. The F-35’s reliance on U.S.-controlled maintenance and software updates could also pose challenges to India’s preference for independent control over its military assets.
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