American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin remains highly cautious about the possibility of offering its F-35 Lightning II to the Indian armed forces.
The manufacturer stressed that any dialogue regarding this advanced fifth-generation aircraft can only take place between the governments of both nations, strictly following the United States Foreign Military Sales (FMS) protocol.
When pressed for details, the company refused to comment on whether the Indian Ministry of Defence had formally asked for a product presentation.
Lockheed Martin deflected these questions by stating that queries about purchasing the jet must be sent to American authorities, and questions regarding New Delhi's interest should be answered by the Indian government.
This reaction makes it distinctly clear that there are no private or corporate-level negotiations currently happening.
This hands-off approach highlights how tightly Washington controls the F-35 project, preventing it from being marketed like standard military jets.
While companies usually advertise their fighter planes directly to foreign buyers, the F-35 is subject to a rigid export system. Under these rules, only sovereign national leaders can authorise, discuss, and finalise agreements.
Consequently, Lockheed Martin's job is simply to build the aircraft and execute contracts, rather than actively hunt for sales in new countries.
Looking at the situation from India's side, the lack of a requested briefing proves that the F-35 is not actively being considered for purchase by the military.
This fact was officially confirmed in late 2025, when the Union Minister of State for External Affairs formally informed the Lok Sabha that no discussions regarding F-35 jets have taken place with the US, despite previous procurement offers from Washington.
India's primary focus remains firmly set on building its own fifth-generation fighter through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, while fulfilling current needs with updated 4.5-generation aircraft.
Nevertheless, Lockheed Martin's cautious replies deliberately leave the door open for future possibilities.
By refusing to confirm or deny anything, the company maintains the level of secrecy typically required when dealing with cutting-edge defence technology and international politics.
If New Delhi ever decides to evaluate the F-35—which was recently featured as a static display at the Aero India 2025 exhibition—it would be a decision based on long-term geopolitical partnerships and the need for advanced technology, rather than a quick fix for immediate equipment shortages.
