Opinion Factors That Can Affect India's Potential Choice of F-35A for Interim 5th-Gen Needs, Local MRO and Custom Configuration Vital

As India continues its comprehensive military modernization efforts, the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II has re-emerged in strategic conversations as a potential candidate for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

While no official proposal has been made, defence analysts suggest that any potential acquisition would be contingent on India securing a highly customized version of the stealth fighter, rather than an off-the-shelf export model.

The success of such a deal would depend on critical negotiations for local manufacturing support and the integration of specific, cutting-edge technologies vital for the Indo-Pacific region.

For the F-35A to be a viable option for India's long-pending Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) requirement, experts argue that New Delhi must insist on a configuration tailored to its unique operational and strategic needs.

Such a variant would need to deliver superior survivability, extended range, and enhanced lethality to effectively address the complex security landscape of the region.

Essential Systems for a Future-Ready IAF Fighter​

A specially configured F-35A for India would require the integration of the most advanced systems available. This includes the next-generation AN/APG-85 AESA radar, which provides a significant leap in tracking range and electronic warfare capabilities compared to older systems.

This would be crucial for operations in contested airspace, such as along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) or over the vast Indian Ocean.

Furthermore, a critical demand would be a new engine, such as the General Electric XA100 or Pratt & Whitney XA101 adaptive cycle engine.

These power plants offer up to 25% greater thrust and significantly improved fuel efficiency, enabling "supercruise" (supersonic flight without engaging fuel-guzzling afterburners) and better thermal management to enhance the aircraft's stealth profile.

Advanced Weaponry and Indigenous Integration​

To maintain air superiority, the integration of long-range missiles like the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) would be non-negotiable. The AIM-260 is specifically designed to counter advanced threats posed by missiles such as China's PL-15.

For short-range combat, compatibility with the ASRAAM, already in the IAF's inventory for its Su-30MKI and Jaguar fleets, would streamline logistics and training.

For deep-strike missions, the aircraft would need to carry stealthy cruise missiles like the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, capable of hitting fortified targets over 900 km away.

Other essential munitions include the AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile for suppressing enemy air defences and various precision-guided bombs like the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB II) and AGM-154 JSOW, which allow for precise strikes from a safe distance.

Crucially, India would need to ensure the integration of its own domestically developed and proven weapons. This includes the SPICE-2000 guidance kits, famously used in the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, and the DRDO-developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW).

The Israeli Precedent and the Importance of MRO​

Analysts point to Israel's F-35I "Adir" as a successful blueprint for this kind of customisation. Israel negotiated the integration of its own indigenous electronic warfare (EW) systems, data links, and established its own maintenance autonomy.

Following this precedent, India would need to insist on integrating its own advanced communication suites, like the BNET Software-Defined Radio, and EW systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Perhaps the most vital condition for any deal would be the establishment of a local Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India. This would grant the IAF operational sovereignty, reduce long-term sustainment costs, and prevent dependency on global supply chains for critical repairs.

This model follows the precedent set by other major defence deals, including the recent agreement for servicing Rafale engines in India, underscoring its importance for the nation's strategic autonomy.

 

Seamless logistics management was a deciding factor in Operation Sindoor’s success: Raksha Mantri

ADA Taking Naval Aviators Inputs for TEDBF Jet's Pilot-Centric Cockpit Design to Enhance Comfort and Operational Efficiency

[siva1977]

Go for su 57, that's our true friend

 

[Mc Addy]

Navy must be its primary customer as it's VSTOL so Navy first, Airforce , some special missions work type units like Radar suppression, deep strike and no Ariel combat whatsoever. This must be its main use as small VSTOL stealth can't do much area damage but Naval can disrupt operation at sea , specially China.For Air force get Su57 , heavy lift type . Get both.

 

[sanket]

No, customization is highly unlikely, plus integration of indigenous as well as Russian weapons like the BrahMos variant are unlikely. By this logic, France has been preferred over the UK for AMCA engine development, so why would one even think of buying a US fighter jet?

First, it is costly; second, the US will not allow customization. It comes with strict US conditions. Buying F-35 means pleasing the US. It will be over-dependency on the US, from jet engines to the F-35. The US can use this any time as a tool and ground the fighter jet, as it is already claiming credit for stopping the recent conflict with Pakistan.

With GE-404 engines, plus GE-414 engines and F-35 jets, the US can easily influence a war. In the future, Tejas induction is going to cross 220, while Tejas MK2 will be 250. The US can easily control these fleets of 450 fighter jets, plus the F-35. Overall, 500 fighter jets will be impacted by US decisions.

 

[Anonymus]

If India chooses F-35A, then demands must be:

1. No end-user agreement.
2. Freedom to use the platform without any restriction.
3. Integration with Indian defence ecosystem.
4. Not to force for giving up on our S-400 like Turkey.
5. Local maintenance facility for F-35.
6. Integration of our local weapons.

If the US agrees, then it's fine, or else SU-57 is already offering everything with their platform plus ToT and source code.

 

[Anant]

If India chooses F-35A, then demands must be:

1. No end-user agreement.
2. Freedom to use the platform without any restriction.
3. Integration with Indian defence ecosystem.
4. Not to force for giving up on our S-400 like Turkey.
5. Local maintenance facility for F-35.
6. Integration of our local weapons.

If the US agrees, then it's fine, or else SU-57 is already offering everything with their platform plus ToT and source code.

Very bold of you to assume the US would agree to even a single one of those conditions, let alone all six. Remember that we would be the side with a weaker negotiating position in any such dealings, be it with Russia or the US. The only difference is that our position would be relatively stronger in dealings with Russia.

 

[Alok Gupta]

Now that Pakistan has dropped the purchase of J-35 from China, I doubt very much that the US will offer the F-35 to India. The cancellation of the Pentagon/LM team's visit to India to present on the F-35 and subsequent announcement from Pakistan that they are not going to get the J-35 from China seem to be interrelated. At this time, the Su-57 seems to be the only option. However, its stealth characteristics are similar to the J-35, and it is not battle-tested, nor is it as advanced as the F-35. My suggestion would be for India to sit tight on this for a year, and the Trump administration will force itself to offer the F-35 to India.

 

[Anonymus]

Very bold of you to assume the US would agree to even a single one of those conditions, let alone all six. Remember that we would be the side with a weaker negotiating position in any such dealings, be it with Russia or the US. The only difference is that our position would be relatively stronger in dealings with Russia.

I know US won't agree, that's why Su-57 is the best option.

 

[Hanshu=Agarwal]

F-35A only, if the deal is like Israel's integration of indigenous weapons, modification according to Bharat's needs, and source-code & in-house maintenance.

 

[Ashwin .R]

I know US won't agree, that's why Su-57 is the best option.

It's not a 5th-gen fighter jet. The reason IAF exited in 2018 was doubt over stealth and tech which uses Chinese components.

 

[Dr]

And after how many years will we get the first F-35 if offered and ordered not before 2032-33 as a customized variant? Its testing will take three to four years, and deciding on the order will take the fastest one to two years. By 2035, our AMCA will be available, so instead, it is better to go for off-the-shelf 40-60 Su-57s of Russian variant with BrahMos and other long-range Russian missiles, even though the F-35 may be better, though it will come with riders and high maintenance cost.

 

[Karmic]

Customization will lead to long delivery times and high-cost escalation for this temporary solution. We should go with the standard configuration. Also, the first few suggestions are performance-related and definitely can be demanded. Whatever is possible for delivery to start from 2028 is welcome; anything that extends the delivery start date beyond 2028 should be shelved.

 

[vasu gali]

US feels the offer of F-35 itself is a big boon to India. The above-cited requirements will not be fulfilled even in dreams. Trump changes statements/opinions every day, so much so that one just cannot believe him. So, keep away from F-35. Buying SU-57 with ToT, source code, etc., is to be decided by GOI and IAF. That is a different issue altogether. But buying F-35 could be suicidal.

 

[Sivbal]

Funny.... with all this proposed updates the aircraft will become more costly and hard to maintain as these systems are not proven on the platform.

 

[Kira]

Although these specific customisations and local MRO will also increase the price of the F-35 significantly, and not to mention for any localisation of spares and support, India would need to buy 100 or even a greater number of F-35s.

 

[P10]

F-35, absolutely no!

The US will not give the new 6th gen engine; it's making you struggle for a 4th gen engine. How do you expect to get the latest?

So much customization will take 5 years and make it absurdly expensive, and it will still be buggy as it's already an over-engineered, buggy platform. Ask the Royal Navy!

The US will never allow it to carry BrahMos, the best weapon of the IAF.

The US will make you beg for spares and put punishing clauses in the EULA.

Some future US government could strike a deal with PK or CN and simply dictate to you what you cannot do with the F-35 or just disable it at wartime or lock/disarm/divert the weapons.

The US will use its sophisticated sensors to spy on you.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

The F-35 underwent combat practice a month ago, as did the F-22, which demonstrated good results. The Su-57, although it is used in the war against Ukraine, the details of its use are unknown.