Priyanka Tiwari
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States plans to sell its cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighter jets to India. If this deal goes through, India will join an exclusive group of nations equipped with one of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, Trump said, “From this year, we will be selling weapons worth billions of dollars to India. We are also clearing the way to provide F-35 stealth fighter jets.”
Why the F-35 Deal Faces Challenges
While this sounds like a significant step in U.S.-India defense relations, the deal is far from simple. One of the biggest concerns for the U.S. is technology security. The U.S. is cautious about selling F-35s to countries that have close defense ties with Russia, fearing that sensitive technology could be leaked.
This was the primary reason the U.S. denied Turkey’s request for F-35s—concerned that Russian intelligence could gain access to the aircraft’s stealth technology. Given India’s long-standing defense relationship with Russia, similar concerns could pose a hurdle in finalizing this deal.
A Lengthy and Complex Process
Even if the U.S. greenlights the sale, India may have to wait several years before receiving the aircraft. The F-35 program involves stringent security checks, pilot training, and infrastructure development.
Since 2008, India has purchased over $20 billion worth of U.S. defense equipment. In 2023, the U.S. approved the sale of drones, missiles, and bombs worth approximately $4 billion to India. Many analysts see these deals as part of America’s strategy to reduce India’s reliance on Russian military hardware—especially after India purchased Russia’s S-400 missile defense system in 2018.
What Makes the F-35 Special?
The F-35 is an advanced stealth multirole fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin. It is designed to perform a wide range of missions, from air-to-air combat to ground strikes and electronic warfare.
Variants of the F-35:
- F-35A – Standard version for the Air Force (Conventional Takeoff and Landing).
- F-35B – Designed for Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL), used by the Marine Corps.
- F-35C – Carrier-based version for the Navy, optimized for aircraft carrier operations.
Which Countries Use the F-35?
Several nations already operate the F-35, including the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, Australia, Italy, Norway, Netherlands, South Korea, and Canada.
Key Features of the F-35
Stealth Technology: Designed to evade enemy radar, allowing it to operate undetected in hostile airspace.
Multirole Capability: Can perform air-to-air combat, ground strikes, and electronic warfare missions.
Advanced Avionics: Equipped with cutting-edge sensors and data-sharing systems, providing real-time battlefield intelligence to pilots.
Supersonic Speed: Can reach speeds of Mach 1.6 (1,931 km/h).
Network-Centric Warfare: The F-35 can communicate with other fighter jets, drones, and ground units, enhancing battlefield coordination.
Vertical Takeoff & Landing (VTOL) (F-35B): Allows for operations from small aircraft carriers and makeshift runways.
Advanced Weaponry: Can be equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, JDAM bombs, ASRAAM missiles, and more.
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