F-35 for India? Air Chief Cautions Against Hasty Decisions Amid Fighter Jet Debate
Weeks after former US President Donald Trump pitched the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh made it clear that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has not received any formal offer. Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025, Singh dismissed speculation about the advanced fighter jet’s induction, emphasizing that military procurements aren’t as simple as buying household appliances.
“We need to analyze it carefully—what the requirements are and what comes along with it. The cost is also a part of it. It’s not like a washing machine or refrigerator for home that we can buy just by the looks of it. We have not given it a thought. No offer has been made till now,” Singh stated.
At an estimated $80 million per unit, the F-35 remains one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world. Adding to the skepticism, a recent US report highlighted concerns over its operational performance, igniting debate over whether India should even consider it. Trump’s proposal is widely seen as part of Washington’s strategic push to shift India away from its traditional reliance on Russian defense systems. But is the F-35 truly a game-changer for India, or would it become an unnecessary financial and logistical burden?
The F-35: Technological Marvel or Logistical Nightmare?
On paper, the F-35 is a technological masterpiece. As a fifth-generation stealth fighter, it boasts cutting-edge sensors, artificial intelligence-driven combat capabilities, and seamless data-sharing features. It is widely regarded as one of the most advanced jets in the world. However, integrating it into the IAF would be a logistical and strategic challenge of unprecedented scale.
According to defense expert Ashley J. Tellis of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Trump’s offer may be more symbolic than practical. “It is unlikely that the F-35 will be offered for co-production to India—any acquisition will likely be a straightforward sale. This is unlikely to sit well with Modi’s emphasis on ‘Make in India,’ and the significant end-user monitoring in the event of an F-35 sale will likely not be welcomed by India either,” Tellis explained.
There are also operational concerns. Security analyst Stephen Bryen noted that the F-35 has an availability rate of just 51% in the US Air Force, meaning nearly half of the fleet remains grounded at any given time due to maintenance and software issues. “The question is whether India is willing to invest billions of rupees in the F-35, knowing it could do better buying a Russian jet or investing in its indigenous fighter program,” Bryen observed.
India’s Fighter Jet Dilemma: Ageing Fleet, Shrinking Squadrons
India’s fighter fleet is rapidly ageing, and replacements are not arriving fast enough. Over the past decade, China has added 435 new fighter and ground-attack aircraft, while India’s fleet has shrunk by 151. Political scientist Christopher Clary noted that the IAF’s fleet depletion is a major concern, given the rising regional security threats.
India has plans to acquire over 500 jets in the coming years, with an emphasis on indigenous production. The Tejas Mark 1A, an agile homegrown multirole fighter, is already on order, with 83 confirmed units and 97 more expected. The more advanced Tejas Mark 2 is under development, while the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter—is at least a decade away from service.
Meanwhile, the $20 billion Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, aimed at acquiring foreign-built jets under a transfer-of-technology deal, has been stalled since 2019 due to funding shortfalls, bureaucratic delays, and dependence on foreign manufacturers.
Pakistan’s F-16 Lifeline: A Geopolitical Balancing Act?
In a move that has raised eyebrows in New Delhi, the US recently approved $397 million in funding for the maintenance of Pakistan’s F-16 fighter fleet. This reverses Trump’s own 2018 decision to cut all security aid to Pakistan over concerns about terrorism.
While Washington has imposed restrictions to ensure these jets are used only for counterterrorism operations, the move does little to reassure India. The memory of the 2019 aerial skirmish—when a Pakistani F-16 was allegedly used against an Indian MiG-21 after the Balakot airstrike—remains fresh. India had raised concerns over Pakistan’s use of US-supplied jets in offensive operations, and Washington had reprimanded Islamabad at the time. The latest funding decision is being seen as a sign of America hedging its bets in South Asia.
IAF’s Modernization Woes: Bureaucratic Delays vs. Urgent Needs
The IAF’s modernization strategy faces a fundamental dilemma: the government’s long-term vision for indigenous fighter development does not align with the Air Force’s urgent operational needs.
Rahul Bhatia, an analyst at Eurasia Group, pointed out that India’s indigenous fighter programs have been slow to materialize. “The Tejas Mark 1 faced early skepticism, and the decades-long development cycles frustrate the armed forces. Their requirements keep evolving with new technologies, which in turn contributes to further delays,” Bhatia said.
Even Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has voiced his concerns. “I can take a vow that I will not buy anything from outside or I will wait for whatever is developed in India, but it may not be possible if it does not come at that pace,” he remarked.
The slow delivery of Tejas Mark 1A jets, initially scheduled for February 2024, has compounded these challenges. Singh acknowledged that the IAF is facing a serious shortfall in fighter squadrons, stating, “At the moment, we all know that we are very badly off when it comes to numbers [of fighters]. And the numbers which were promised are also coming a little slow. So, there will be a requirement to go and look for something which can quickly fill up these voids.”
India’s Fifth-Generation Fighter Race: A Crucial Decade Ahead
As China accelerates its testing of sixth-generation combat aircraft and the US reaffirms its support for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, India is racing against time to develop its own fifth-generation jet, the AMCA. However, the program is unlikely to deliver an operational fighter before 2035.
“We may have to go in for off-the-shelf purchases with indigenous content until AMCA gets developed. Or develop AMCA at a faster pace,” Singh admitted.
Currently, India operates just 30 fighter squadrons—well below the sanctioned strength of 42. With the slow pace of indigenous fighter production and increasing security threats, the IAF is faced with a difficult decision: stick to its long-term vision or make urgent stopgap purchases.
The Verdict: Will India Buy the F-35?
India has already invested over $1 billion into its indigenous stealth fighter program, making it unlikely to opt for either the F-35 or the Russian Su-57. Most defense analysts believe that India will instead focus on short-term emergency acquisitions while maintaining its long-term commitment to homegrown fighter production.
“For India, the future of airpower isn’t just about buying jets—it’s about building them,” Bhatia remarked.
If India can overcome bureaucratic delays and accelerate its indigenous fighter projects, it may never need the F-35. But if regional threats escalate faster than expected, the government may be forced to consider off-the-shelf purchases.
For now, Trump’s offer remains just that—an offer. And India, known for its cautious approach to defense acquisitions, is unlikely to rush into a decision that could shape its airpower capabilities for decades.
