India May Acquire 2-3 Squadron of F-35 as Interim Solution Amidst Indigenous AMCA Delays, Rafale Like G2G Deal Expected

India is reportedly exploring the possibility of acquiring a limited number of F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft from the United States as a temporary measure to address potential capability gaps while its domestic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program matures.

The acquisition, if pursued, is expected to mirror the government-to-government (G2G) framework employed in the 2016 purchase of Rafale fighter jets from France.

Sources indicate that any potential F-35 deal would involve a relatively small number of aircraft, likely between 36 and 54, constituting two to three squadrons. The agreement would also be subject to strict technology safeguards mandated by the United States government, reflecting the sensitive nature of the F-35's advanced capabilities.

The procurement process is anticipated to follow a G2G model, facilitating direct negotiations between the Indian and US governments. This approach, similar to the one used for the $8.88 billion Rafale acquisition, aims to accelerate the process and potentially secure pricing comparable to that offered to the US armed forces. This method avoids the often lengthy and complex multi-vendor competitive bidding process.

A primary driver for considering the F-35 is the extended timeline of the AMCA program. While the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the AMCA project in March 2024, the first flight of the indigenous fifth-generation fighter is not anticipated until early 2029.

Furthermore, full-scale production is not projected to commence until 2034-2035 at the earliest. This leaves a significant period where the Indian Air Force (IAF) may face a shortfall in cutting-edge combat capabilities.

However, even a rapid decision on the F-35 would not provide an immediate solution. Current estimates suggest that deliveries of the aircraft could not begin before 2029, at the earliest.

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, faces a substantial order backlog, supplying the aircraft to the US military, NATO allies, and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Full operational capability of even two squadrons within the IAF could take an additional three to four years after initial deliveries, potentially extending to 2032-2033.

An unnamed IAF official mentioned in previous reports that supply chain constraints and manufacturing capacity limits are among the factors contribute to delay in delivery, even if order placed in 2025, delivery may face delay untill 2030.

The F-35, a single-engine, supersonic, all-weather multirole fighter, is renowned for its stealth characteristics, advanced sensor suite, and network-enabled warfare capabilities. It is produced in three main variants: the F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing), the F-35B (short takeoff and vertical landing), and the F-35C (carrier-based).

While the specific variant under consideration by India has not been officially disclosed, the F-35A is the most common and likely candidate. It's important to note that acquiring the F-35, often considered the most advanced fighter jet globally, might require India to also buy specific American weaponry. These weapons could include air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder, as well as air-to-ground munitions such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Paveway series of laser-guided bombs.

 

[Sumon Roy]

IAF must needed this type of stealth Fighter jets seriously. It will also Help Indian Air force to design and build next generation stealth fighter jet.

 

[Kira]

What is the use of the technically superior F-35, if the US puts covert sanctions to arm-twist Bharat?

Why would they impose sanctions against India when the interests of the two countries align quite well?
Also, the US wants India as a serious long-term defense market, so why would they jeopardize those prospects? 🧐
Think logically, today, unlike the Cold War and 1990s era, India is a large defense market for Western companies, and they want to invest in the country, so why would they sanction the country, which would go against their strategic and commercial interests?

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Superpower without aeroengine, flying testbed, operating system, computer language, artificial intelligence, minus all hardware used to make the computer, true stuff to be Vishwaguru.

If you can make those, then you are always welcome. If not, then do not criticize the people who are trying hard to make those. Support them.

 

[Rame1]

It is indeed a sorry state if deliveries of F-35s are delayed till 2029. India should negotiate strongly with Lockheed Martin for at least 12 planes on an immediate basis as early as 2026.

 

[Dredd]

It is indeed a sorry state if deliveries of F-35s are delayed till 2029. India should negotiate strongly with Lockheed Martin for at least 12 planes on an immediate basis as early as 2026.

They are producing 130 aircraft per year. They can certainly deliver quickly, but if the Indian version needs a modification, then it will take time.

 

[Ravi]

This is madness. F-35 being explored as an interim measure ? What a joke! India is not yet ready for F-35. If the F-35 gets into India, USA will have India in its grip. Best is to focus on LCA and AMCA.

 

[DS]

There is no offer from US government to India for sale of F-35 single engine fighters. Let us wait .

 

[COHEN MARC]

India's enemies won't wait until F-35s come to India before they decide to take Mumbai; time is not on India's side. Maybe India should get the American F-15EXs, of which the Americans have ready stock, maybe 20 planes upfront. It's cheaper than the F-35s. Other options: get the upgraded F-16s, train Indian ground crew on these technologies. Other options are F-21s as backup with upgrades, because definitely the Pakistanis won't wait, encouraged by the Chinese, to carry out an attack on Indian airbases. The recent attack or firing by the Pakistani border forces on the Indian side can turn into a full-fledged war. The Pakistani Air Force has the technical advantage over the Indian Air Force. As HAL has proven to be a huge setback and complete failure when it comes to maintenance and putting a good fighting plane in the air. Since time is of the essence, maybe the Indian Air Force technical team can go to the United States to study the urgent requirements before the Pakistanis try to attack India. Just to have decent planes to stop the Pakistani planes from trying to dominate Indian skies. Besides, the United States' Trump too wants India to buy some of his products.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

With production reaching over 150 per year, the American company can easily start deliveries by 2026 in case the deal is signed in '25, and an initial lot of pilots, engineers, and technicians can start training by the end of '25. Yearly initial delivery of 12 aircraft, starting 2026-27, can be completed in four or five years, with 114 delivered by 2030.

 

[AJS]

If you consider the time it takes from first-flight date to first-aircraft-in-service date of any modern combat aircraft (the F35 took almost 10 years, despite decades of US experience of developing aircraft) it is unlikely that the AMCA will even begin to be inducted before 2040. By then the PLAAF will have 6th generation aircraft in service. So, it is high time that India faces the fact that it is a full generation / 10-15 years behind its adversaries technologically, even as its current fleet has a huge numbers deficit and a high proportion of obsolescence. It’s like keeping the doors wide open for the enemy to walk in.

It’s vital that India accelerate and intensify AMCA (and Tejas 2) development, but also that it inducts 5th generation aircraft from outside in good numbers, urgently. When it comes to 5th generation, especially when faced with the numbers gap, there is no use buying 3rd best - we must go for the best there is, which is the F35. The US is a full 15-20 years ahead of anyone else in stealth technology, sensor fusion and so forth.

Secondly, buying penny packets of 2-3 squadrons, be they Rafale or 5th generation planes, will be inadequate even as it compounds the complexity of managing such diverse fleets as aircraft of Indian, French, Russian and now potentially US origin.

Third, there is need to be clear about how 5th generation aircraft are used. BVR combat, downing the enemy before he even realizes you are around, is the key point. No use tom tomming that we are good at close-in combat when the enemy can get you before you even know he is there, let alone close in to dogfight. The capabilities that matter are stealth, high end sensor fusion and networked combat. The F35 excels at all of these. It is not meant to operate alone - in strike missions it clears up enemy air defences for 4+ generation aircraft to go in with heavier bomb / missile loads, and in air supremacy missions it lurks unseen alongside own 4+ gen aircraft to take out the enemy. So what we need is a mix of adequate numbers of F35 (~ 6 squadrons) alongside the to-be upgraded Su30MKI (perhaps 8 squadrons), the Rafale (perhaps 4 squadrons) and the Tejas (16 squadrons between Mk 1A and Mk 2) plus AMCA (8 squadrons, when ready). That will yield a roughly 1/3rd 5th generation and 2/3rd 4+ generation mix. It will address immediate capability and numbers gap by providing the IAF with a respectable proportion of 5th generation fighters as part of a total of 30-35 squadrons by 2030-35 when the Jaguars, Mirages and Mig29s will be retiring; and a full 42 squadrons by the mid 2040s when AMCA is in service in sizeable numbers.