The United States has announced its intent to provide India with the advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets. The move is expected to bolster India's aerial capabilities and further strengthen bilateral military cooperation.
Addressing a joint press conference at the White House following bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump stated, "Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 Stealth fighters. In 2017, my administration revived the Quad security partnership, and in our meeting today, the PM and I reaffirmed the strong cooperation between the US, India, Australia and Japan, and it is crucial really to maintain peace, prosperity, tranquillity in the Indo-Pacific."
Advanced aerial capabilities
The F-35 Lightning II, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is considered one of the most advanced multirole stealth fighters. The aircraft, currently in service with several nations, is available in three variants—the F-35A, designed for conventional take-off and landing; the F-35B, which enables short take-off and vertical landing; and the F-35C, intended for carrier-based operations.
The fighter jet made a high-profile appearance at the 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru.
Designed as a revolutionary leap in aerial warfare, the F-35 offers cutting-edge stealth capabilities, sensor fusion, and advanced combat versatility.
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However, the aircraft has also been criticised for its high operational costs and persistent technical challenges, particularly related to its software.
Recently, several European nations, including Germany, Poland, Finland, and Romania, have signed agreements to procure the F-35, according to reports by The Economic Times.
Implications for India
The acquisition of the F-35 fighter jets is poised to significantly modernise India’s air force. Traditionally reliant on a blend of Western and Russian defence technology, India’s potential procurement of cutting-edge American military aircraft would mark a strategic shift in its defence posture.
Besides enhancing India’s aerial combat capabilities, the move is expected to fortify New Delhi’s status as a key player in regional security while reinforcing Indo-US military cooperation.
Musk’s criticism
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has previously voiced criticism of the F-35 programme, asserting that autonomous drones would define the future of air combat.
"The F-35 design was broken at the requirements level because it was required to be too many things to too many people. This made it an expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none. Success was never in the set of possible outcomes," Musk stated on X.
In another post, he shared a video of drones executing coordinated flight patterns, adding, "Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35."
While Musk’s remarks have fuelled debate over the viability of traditional fighter jets in modern warfare, the US remains committed to advancing the F-35 programme, with its potential sale to India representing a major milestone in Indo-US defence cooperation.
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