SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is navigating a complex strategic landscape as it modernizes its fighter fleet to counter growing threats from China and Pakistan. Recent reports from idrw.org indicate that the IAF has taken a resolute stance against compromising its Russian-origin S-400 air defense systems to accommodate a potential U.S. offer for the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter.
Furthermore, the IAF has dismissed preconditions tied to any such offer, including restrictions on deploying F-35s near S-400 units or U.S. oversight on jet deployment at specific airbases, which could limit operational flexibility in wartime. Crucially, idrw.org sources confirm that no formal U.S. offer for the F-35A has been made to India as of June 22, 2025, casting doubt on earlier speculations fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s verbal overtures.
In February 2025, during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Trump announced plans to “pave the way” for F-35 sales to India, touting increased military cooperation and billions in defense deals. This statement, reiterated by Vice President J.D. Vance in April 2025, sparked widespread debate about India’s potential acquisition of the fifth-generation stealth fighter. However, idrw.org reports that no formal government-to-government (G2G) proposal has been submitted through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework, despite expectations of an offer by June 2025. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri previously confirmed the absence of an official procurement process, emphasizing India’s structured acquisition protocols requiring a Request for Proposals (RFP) and detailed evaluations.
The F-35A, priced at approximately $82.5 million per unit (with export costs reaching $100-110 million), is a multirole stealth fighter renowned for its advanced sensor fusion, AN/APG-81 radar, and network-centric warfare capabilities. With a combat radius of 1,200 km and a payload of 8,000 kg, it could significantly enhance the IAF’s ability to counter China’s J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters and Pakistan’s potential acquisition of J-35A jets by 2028-29. However, the IAF’s skepticism stems from strategic, operational, and geopolitical concerns, particularly regarding U.S. preconditions tied to India’s S-400 systems.
India’s acquisition of five S-400 Triumph air defense systems from Russia, under a $5.5 billion deal signed in 2018, has been a point of contention in U.S.-India defense relations. The S-400, with its 400 km range and ability to engage stealth aircraft, is a cornerstone of India’s air defense architecture, deployed to protect critical assets along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. Deliveries of three regiments were completed by 2024, with the remaining two expected by 2026.
The U.S. has historically opposed F-35 sales to S-400 operators, citing risks of Russian intelligence gathering on the jet’s stealth capabilities through the system’s 91N6E radar. Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring S-400s exemplifies this policy, with the U.S. arguing that data collected could compromise the jet’s effectiveness in future conflicts. Posts on X have echoed U.S. concerns, with some users noting opposition from U.S. senators wary of India’s S-400 operations exposing F-35 vulnerabilities to Russia.
Beyond the S-400 issue, the IAF has expressed discomfort with potential U.S. oversight on F-35A deployment. idrw.org reports that the U.S. may impose end-user agreements restricting F-35 operations to specific airbases, monitored by the Pentagon to prevent technology leaks. Such constraints could hamper the IAF’s ability to deploy the jets flexibly in wartime, particularly along the LAC or in the Indo-Pacific, where rapid response is critical. The IAF’s Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS), built around Russian-origin platforms like the Su-30 MKI and Il-78 refuelers, is incompatible with the F-35’s data links and communication suites, requiring costly upgrades.
The F-35’s high lifecycle costs—potentially exceeding $100 billion for a fleet of 40-50 jets over decades—also raise concerns. A 2024 Pentagon report highlighted maintenance challenges, with 141-day repair times and a 51% availability rate, which could strain the IAF’s logistics, especially without technology transfer (ToT) or local production. India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative prioritizes indigenous manufacturing, as seen with the Rafale and Tejas programs, but the F-35 offer, structured as an off-the-shelf FMS deal, offers no ToT, limiting industrial benefits.
Geopolitically, accepting the F-35 could strain India’s ties with Russia, a key supplier of 60% of its military hardware, including the Su-30 MKI and S-400. Russia’s counter-offer to co-produce the Su-57E Felon with full source code aligns better with India’s indigenization goals and could accelerate the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. However, the Su-57’s larger radar cross-section (0.1-1 m² vs. F-35’s 0.001 m²) and limited combat experience make it less appealing. India’s neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its strategic balancing act between the U.S. and Russia further complicate the F-35 decision.
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