SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a strategic dilemma with American fighter jets, primarily due to the potential for the United States to suspend spares and support during conflicts, especially if those conflicts involve Pakistan or China, two countries with significant geopolitical ties to the U.S. This concern stems from historical precedents where the U.S. has leveraged its supply chain influence in military engagements.
1971 Indo-Pakistani War: During this conflict, the U.S. imposed an arms embargo on both India and Pakistan, though the impact was felt more by India due to its lesser reliance on American military hardware at the time. This embargo highlighted how geopolitical stances could affect military operations.
During the 1999 Kargil conflict, India faced limitations on the usage of American-supplied military hardware. The U.S. had imposed strict end-user agreements, limiting India’s ability to freely deploy certain systems in combat. This served as another reminder that Washington could dictate the terms of use for its military equipment, making the IAF reluctant to depend on American-made fighter jets in a full-scale conflict.
Following India’s nuclear tests in 1998, the U.S. imposed sanctions that restricted military cooperation and technology transfers. This affected key military programs, including spare parts for various American-origin systems. Although the sanctions were later lifted, the incident demonstrated how political decisions in Washington could have direct consequences on India’s military readiness.
Given these historical examples, the IAF remains wary of integrating American fighter jets like the F-21 (upgraded F-16), F-15EX, or F/A-18 Super Hornet into its fleet. A potential conflict with either Pakistan or China could trigger U.S. sanctions or a suspension of spare parts, leaving India with grounded aircraft at a critical time.
Unlike Russian or indigenous platforms, American fighter jets require a consistent flow of spares and software updates, often controlled by the U.S. government. The U.S. has historically placed restrictions on the use of its weapons in conflicts that do not align with its foreign policy interests. If a future Indo-Pak or Sino-Indian war does not align with U.S. strategic interests, Washington could limit support.
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