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According to sources, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has established a clear position that it will not compromise the operational deployment of its Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defence system as a prerequisite for any potential acquisition of the American F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet.
This stance refutes speculative reports suggesting that India might accept operational limits on its strategic assets to gain access to the fifth-generation aircraft.
Amidst a complex geopolitical environment and the need to modernise its fleet to address threats from China and Pakistan, the IAF has firmly dismissed any possibility of accepting restrictive conditions.
These restrictions include potential U.S. demands to prevent the co-location of F-35 jets and S-400 units or to allow American oversight on where the aircraft could be based. Such terms are viewed as unacceptable limitations on India's operational sovereignty, especially during a conflict.
Official sources have clarified that despite verbal overtures from top American leaders, no formal offer for the F-35A has been extended to India.
In February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump, during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, indicated that the U.S. was "paving the way" for F-35 sales. This sentiment was later echoed by Vice President J.D. Vance.
However, as of late June 2025, no official proposal has been made through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Indian Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has also publicly confirmed the absence of a formal offer, stating that any such acquisition would require extensive analysis and not be treated like a simple off-the-shelf purchase.
The S-400 Triumf remains a cornerstone of India's air defence strategy. India signed a $5.5 billion agreement with Russia in 2018 for five regiments of the advanced surface-to-air missile system.
Three of these have been delivered and are deployed to safeguard critical areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The final two squadrons are expected to be delivered by 2026-2027.
With its 400-kilometer range and ability to track and engage multiple targets, including stealth aircraft, the S-400 system is considered vital to national security.
The United States has a history of opposing the sale of the F-35 to nations that operate the S-400. The primary concern is that the S-400's powerful radar systems could gather sensitive intelligence on the F-35's stealth characteristics, potentially compromising its technological edge.
This policy was most notably enforced in 2019 when Turkey, a NATO ally, was expelled from the F-35 program after it went ahead with its S-400 purchase.
Beyond the strategic red line over the S-400, the IAF has several other reservations about the F-35.
The estimated lifecycle cost for a fleet of 40-50 jets could exceed $100 billion, a figure compounded by significant maintenance challenges. A 2024 Pentagon report noted the F-35's low availability rate of 51% and lengthy repair times, which could create a logistical strain on the IAF.
Furthermore, a potential F-35 deal under the FMS framework would not include the Transfer of Technology (ToT) or local manufacturing rights. This runs contrary to India’s ‘Make in India’ policy, which prioritises indigenous production and technology development, as seen in the procurement of Rafale jets and the development of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
The integration of the F-35 with India’s existing military infrastructure presents another major hurdle.
The IAF’s Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS) is largely built around Russian and indigenously developed platforms, which are not compatible with the F-35's highly secure data links and communication suites, necessitating costly and complex upgrades.
A decision to acquire the F-35 would also impact India's long-standing and diverse defence relationship with Russia, which currently supplies approximately 60% of India's military hardware.
As India continues its delicate strategic balancing act between global powers, the IAF's focus remains on maintaining its strategic autonomy and ensuring its defence posture is not dictated by external conditions.
