High-Stakes F-35 Fighter Jet Proposal for India Now in Limbo Following Postponement of Key U.S. Delegation Visit

A highly anticipated visit by a senior U.S. delegation to formally propose the sale of the advanced F-35 Lightning II fighter jet to India has been postponed, introducing significant uncertainty into a landmark defence initiative.

The delegation, which was to include officials from the Pentagon, the U.S. Department of Defense, and manufacturer Lockheed Martin, was scheduled to arrive in July 2025 to present the offer for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The planned visit was set to be the first official briefing on supplying the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant to India. This potential acquisition is viewed as a pivotal moment for strengthening U.S.-India strategic ties.

However, the deferment, for which no official reason has been provided, has led to speculation about whether it is a temporary scheduling issue or a more serious delay.

This development occurs as India weighs its options for modernising its air force, a process critical for maintaining a strategic edge in the region.

The proposal to offer the F-35, one of the world's most sophisticated fifth-generation stealth fighters, was first signalled by President Donald Trump in February 2025.

The jet is prized for its low-observable (stealth) technology, advanced sensor integration, and network-centric warfare capabilities.

The offer was expected to be a direct government-to-government deal, which would streamline the procurement process for the IAF as it seeks to replace its ageing squadrons and counter growing threats from China and Pakistan.

This postponement places the American proposal in direct competition with a renewed push from Russia, which is actively marketing its own fifth-generation aircraft, the Su-57 Felon.

Leveraging a long-standing defence relationship that has supplied India with aircraft like the Su-30 MKI and the S-400 air defence system, Russia is also proposing a government-to-government agreement.

The Su-57 boasts supercruise ability and advanced avionics, presenting a formidable, and potentially more affordable, alternative.

India’s decision is complicated by several factors.

While the F-35 is a combat-proven platform used by numerous U.S. allies, the Su-57 program has faced production delays and questions regarding its stealth features compared to its American counterpart.

Conversely, a deal with Russia could offer greater scope for technology transfer and domestic manufacturing, aligning with India’s "Make in India" policy, which aims to boost self-reliance in the defence sector.

A potential U.S. deal, by contrast, may come with stricter conditions on technology sharing.

The IAF is currently operating with approximately 31 fighter squadrons, well below its sanctioned strength of 42 needed to effectively manage a potential two-front security challenge. This shortfall adds urgency to the long-delayed Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, under which India aims to procure 114 new jets.

The F-35 offer was seen as a possible fast-track solution outside the MRFA competition. The recent delay now leaves the future of this high-profile acquisition and a key component of India’s air power strategy in question, pending clarification from Washington and Lockheed Martin.

 

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[Mc Addy]

Get that AV 8 b harrier line atleast from USA which this F 35 has replaced , so we have jump jets for conventional warfare for Navy and land forces, that jet can do a lot of work in normal warfare scenerio. Even if we order F35, next 10 years will pass.

 

[Mc Addy]

Buying multiple types from multiple companies like US, French , Russia will finally leave us with a Kichdi type airforce , where multiple tools, spares and Geopolitical non sense will chew us .

 

[Enforcer]

Seems like USA is serious to offer but India is not willing to make an official tender yet. India is dancing around the procurement of 5th gen fighters.

 

[Anubhav Sharma]

Long story short, the only 5th-gen fighter available for India is the Su-57. We need 5th-gen immediately. Indigenous AMCA will be available after 10 years. How else can we expect our air force to perform if we don't have the Su-57? How do we expect them to fight Chinese 5th-gen fighters from Pakistan and China with 4th-gen planes, which are also very few in number? So, common sense says buy a few squadrons of Su-57s, as this might not be the best option, but this is the only available option.

 

[APJ]

Let's think about possible scenarios:

1. They realised their proposal isn't competitive enough and likely to fail. That would mean a reassessment of proposal to make it better.
2. Trade negotiation tactics by denying India the technology. That means postponed as pressure tactics. Nothing major. On track with current projectile.
3. Recent bonhomie with Asim Munir. The need of Pak will bring strategic calculation into mix as it has done before many times. Major. Reinforces the need for robust system for AMCA. Not as a product but as a system. From awarding contract to supply chain, technology etc.
4. Trump showing his unhappiness over BRICS stand. Short term. Nothing major.

What could be other possibilities? Let's discuss, not debate.

 

[APJ]

Long story short, the only 5th-gen fighter available for India is the Su-57. We need 5th-gen immediately. Indigenous AMCA will be available after 10 years. How else can we expect our air force to perform if we don't have the Su-57? How do we expect them to fight Chinese 5th-gen fighters from Pakistan and China with 4th-gen planes, which are also very few in number? So, common sense says buy a few squadrons of Su-57s, as this might not be the best option, but this is the only available option.

China can't arm Pak more than it can handle, and its priority is on Taiwan and the Pacific for now.

Even F-35 and Su-57 won't be delivered today. With delays in GE-404 and Russian spares for Sukhoi, it's uncertain if they will be able to be delivered "immediately."

So, AMCA must be a priority and major funds must be for it, not the F-35, which is just too costly over time. If there are some funds remaining after that, buy 5th gen without major ToT, because the ToT we need, i.e., cutting-edge, won't be given; it can only be homegrown. The ToT of a lower level is gettable without major F-35/Su-57 purchases.

 

[Chinese eater]

These are popular coercion methods of USA: delayed attack choppers, engines, melodrama in F-35/F-21, backing Pakistan. USA wants India out of BRICS and a trade deal on American terms, which is unacceptable to India.

America will never abandon Pakistan, Khan Ghulam, and CIA in India, so India must never burn bridges with BRICS or Russia, particularly.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

The Su-57 is stealthier than Rafales and has fewer geopolitical risks when compared to the F-35. The level of access and ToT we get from Russian platforms is unmatched. However, it is important to note with an Su-57 buy, doors may be closed for GE engines for Tejas Mk2 and expect further delays for GE F404. All choices have advantages and their own disadvantages.

 

[Puneet]

The Americans don't seem to be serious about the offer. The Russian proposal doesn't suit us. India should look to strengthen its anti-stealth capabilities by all means possible. AMCA should be developed and manufactured in mission mode under the direct supervision of IAF. Don't worry about the amount of indigenous content as of now. Rope in a friendly country as a partner if needed. Fly it at any cost ASAP. Jai Hind.

 

[Sandeep]

The USA are always good at offering something but when you look at the details more closely you realise that they are only interested in the money, power and control over you and your country.

In any deal there will be a lot of strict terms and conditions on what we can use, when we can use it, who can we use it against, what weapons we can use, regular surprise inspection, mandatory monitoring, any spares or LRU or parts must be sourced directly from there and pay a higher cost for it. While the F35 jet is one of the best jet the type of deal we would end up with will hamper our operations, operational capability and give more power and control over our air force.

With the SU-57 the jets stealth capability won’t be as good as the F35 but it’s the 2nd best stealth fighter and much cheaper than the F35. Its combat capabilities are still advanced and great in its stealth capability, modern technology, weapons payload, range, combat capabilities, advanced weaponry and equipment.

We know that we won’t get any technology transferred to us or manufacture anything from the F35. With the SU-57 they say they will transfer the technology to us and allow us to manufacture it indigenously but how much and what technology isn’t clear yet.

It seems that India should focus more on its own indigenous jet programs only. They should sort out and manufacture the Tejas MK1A more quickly and expand our production capacity. We should also quickly manufacture the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototypes so that we can run our own tests more quickly so production can finally begin as soon as possible.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

It is very clear that IAF will never opt for F35, simple reason is this comes with all kinds of restrictions. IAF is known for their valor and indigenous operations. IAF will never bow and should never bow to US. PAF or other NATO countries which will bow to operational restrictions. Not only US but also to the entire world it was clear like water that IAF will opt and should definitely opt for SU57 as this will gel with our infrastructure. Only concern is this offer was made way back one year ago, we should have gone with this offer long back. In all the three military domain of Army, Navy and Airforce. The weakest branch is Airforce its high time that we have to focus to make them strong.
Loosing air force pilots should be National shame it takes a hell lot of time, passion of individual and investment to prepare one air force pilot. With trainings performed on depleted and to be thrown away Jaguars we are risking our great assets of pilots. Why Tejas twin seater not used for trainings. Government and IAF should immediately use Tejas twin seater for pilot trainings without risking any further pilots life. Yesterday we lost our prime assets of Nation two great IAF pilots. My condolences to their families, but these should be lessons to immediately retire the depleted fleet. Use Tejas twin seater right away from next training itself. GOI, MoD and IAF itself should be now very aggressively looking to bolster their strength. Build your own no doubt but take as much as possible to strengthen IAF. No better partner at this moment than Russia who will offer restriction less offers. I will say take SU57 + SU35M + S70 Okhotnik + 177S jet engine just take it revamp and make IAF the strongest in Indo Pacific region. High time to think of IAF too. Don't take things lightly our pilots risk their life for Nation when in combat situations respect them and give them the best possible and ample quantity assets.

 

[raj0072000in]

The USA are always good at offering something but when you look at the details more closely you realise that they are only interested in the money, power and control over you and your country.

In any deal there will be a lot of strict terms and conditions on what we can use, when we can use it, who can we use it against, what weapons we can use, regular surprise inspection, mandatory monitoring, any spares or LRU or parts must be sourced directly from there and pay a higher cost for it. While the F35 jet is one of the best jet the type of deal we would end up with will hamper our operations, operational capability and give more power and control over our air force.

With the SU-57 the jets stealth capability won’t be as good as the F35 but it’s the 2nd best stealth fighter and much cheaper than the F35. Its combat capabilities are still advanced and great in its stealth capability, modern technology, weapons payload, range, combat capabilities, advanced weaponry and equipment.

We know that we won’t get any technology transferred to us or manufacture anything from the F35. With the SU-57 they say they will transfer the technology to us and allow us to manufacture it indigenously but how much and what technology isn’t clear yet.

It seems that India should focus more on its own indigenous jet programs only. They should sort out and manufacture the Tejas MK1A more quickly and expand our production capacity. We should also quickly manufacture the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototypes so that we can run our own tests more quickly so production can finally begin as soon as possible.

How you produce Tejas without US GE Engine...

 

[Rajbinderdhami]

The USA are always good at offering something but when you look at the details more closely you realise that they are only interested in the money, power and control over you and your country.

In any deal there will be a lot of strict terms and conditions on what we can use, when we can use it, who can we use it against, what weapons we can use, regular surprise inspection, mandatory monitoring, any spares or LRU or parts must be sourced directly from there and pay a higher cost for it. While the F35 jet is one of the best jet the type of deal we would end up with will hamper our operations, operational capability and give more power and control over our air force.

With the SU-57 the jets stealth capability won’t be as good as the F35 but it’s the 2nd best stealth fighter and much cheaper than the F35. Its combat capabilities are still advanced and great in its stealth capability, modern technology, weapons payload, range, combat capabilities, advanced weaponry and equipment.

We know that we won’t get any technology transferred to us or manufacture anything from the F35. With the SU-57 they say they will transfer the technology to us and allow us to manufacture it indigenously but how much and what technology isn’t clear yet.

It seems that India should focus more on its own indigenous jet programs only. They should sort out and manufacture the Tejas MK1A more quickly and expand our production capacity. We should also quickly manufacture the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototypes so that we can run our own tests more quickly so production can finally begin as soon as possible.

Nicely said