Lockheed Martin Welcomes Potential F-35 Stealth Jet Sale to India, Ending 75 Years of US Fighter Jet Absence in IAF

Lockheed Martin, the American aerospace and defence giant, has expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of selling its F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to India. This follows a statement from the former U.S. President indicating support for such a deal.

A Lockheed Martin spokesperson conveyed the company's eagerness to collaborate with both the U.S. and Indian governments on this significant procurement.

Should India acquire the F-35A, it would mark a historic shift in its defence strategy. Unlike other countries operating the F-35, such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and various European nations, India has never before incorporated an American fighter jet into its Air Force.

These other nations have historically utilized American aircraft like the F-16s, F/A-18s, and F-4 Phantoms. India, on the other hand, has traditionally relied on fighter jets from Russia, Europe, and its own domestic production.

This potential acquisition reflects India's long-standing approach of diversifying its defence procurements to avoid dependence on a single source. While the F-35 boasts advanced capabilities in stealth technology, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare, India will likely need to carefully consider this purchase in light of its ongoing indigenous fighter jet programs, such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and potential further acquisitions of the French Rafale jet.

If the deal proceeds, India would become the first nation to introduce the F-35 without any prior history of operating American fighter jets. This would represent a significant milestone in global military aviation and could potentially reshape the landscape of defence cooperation between India and the United States.

 

[AJS]

It would, I suppose, be a great addition of capability, relatively soon and possibly even economically for the IAF; as the US has been a world leader in stealth and digital capabilities.

But I wonder what the implications for AMCA would be; and for the IAF’s own doctrine, ability to manage yet more diversity in terms of design, training, logistics etc.

 

[saffronsword]

Delicate caution required!!!

 

[DS]

The recent GAO report issued makes terrible reading on this fighter , its costs, availability and more. A report calls it a$2 trillion albatross?

So we proceed with caution.

The way ahead is our own AMCA .

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

Get 4 squadrons of F-35s (72 total).And get 36 Rafales, which will make 36+36+26=98 total.And focus on Tejas Mk2 under MoD supervision. In the next 10 years, the IAF will become a formidable force…

 

[Phantom]

Yes if F21 is purchased.

 

[sanket]

so does that mean Two stealth Fighter at same time Su-57 & F-35 in IAF fleet

 

[Anonymus]

There is a quote, "Don't burn the opportunity for temporary comfort." India should not even think of buying SU-57 and F-35. It will destroy AMCA. The US is not a reliable partner. The biggest example is the Apache deal; for the past 4 years, it has been stuck deliberately, and GE engines too.

China becomes strong because of its own platforms.E.g., how the USA slowly destroyed British defence industries, and don't forget Japan.

I know the project of AMCA is slow, but it will eventually gain more profit than what F-35 will give. Nobody knows; after Trump, if America stops spare parts to India, then F-35s will be nothing but sitting ducks.

 

[op gupta]

Wait, wait, wait is it too easy? Without any terms and conditions?!!! besides the exorbitant cost associated with american defence hardware; the first and the foremost condition is to completely abandone russia and cancel all the defence deals immediately.

 

[The Sixth Sense]

Better than paying exorbitant price for 4th gen Rafale when we have Trjas MK2 with similar capabilities for much cheaper.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

It would be limited procurement due to cost and trust issues. India may take caution by purchasing in limited nos. However, even limited procurement can give India major edge in the subcontinent. Even China will be worried. Let's not mention Pak. It is still premature and all we can do is to presume and speculate.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

If India signs a deal, the first jet will come after 5 years at least...let's say 2030...so if India focuses on AMCA and Tejas we can do the same and reduce the timeline...India will not go for SU57...that is sure because India is dependent on the US for jet engines...SU57 also has Chinese components...Let's see...what happens...the biggest problem with the US is trust and unfortunately, India doesn't have any option...China is also giving 5th-gen jets to Pakistan...that is also a huge challenge...China already has a huge J20 fleet and now if Pakistan also gets it then India will be in huge trouble...So India has to spend a lot of money but does India have money...because if India goes for F35 then India has to spend at least 10 billion dollars...

 

[abhinav srivastava]

May be go for 36 SU-57s and the same number of F-35s with a follow-on clause of 50% more with each. If AMCA gets too much delayed, consider using the offset clause.

With F-35s will come great arm-twisting policies. SU-57 purchase will balance it to an extent. Both these platforms may provide valuable data for development of AMCA.

We are going to be dependent on France for jet engine tech. It will expect a huge order for Rafales in lieu of jet engine tech. Importing costly 4th gen Rafales does not make much sense. To compensate, we will have to buy more nuclear reactors from France in lieu of engine tech.

Being a tech beggar is not easy.

 

[Bhishma]

I'm anticipating the nature of aerial warfare will drastically change in the next 10 years. CATS warrior will be the future. Autonomous AI drones will take over. They have already demonstrated vertical landing for rockets. China is fielding AI food delivery cars already. All these problems are more difficult to solve than autonomous fighter drones. I bet they have already developed it or are close to achieving a breakthrough but are not advertising. If they used a wolfpack strategy, the fighters won't stand a chance.

 

[Enforcer]

I told you all how Lockheed Martin will push for the sale. You guys laughed at me, now what? I told you this many times.

 

[Vivek Sahgal]

If the f35 is on offer we should take it. To use it to advance our technology for the AMCA project. This will enable us to jump forward in our technology.

 

[vvgnag6933]

Get 4 squadrons of F-35s (72 total).And get 36 Rafales, which will make 36+36+26=98 total.And focus on Tejas Mk2 under MoD supervision. In the next 10 years, the IAF will become a formidable force…

That's it. We should not lose this opportunity and make hard bargain particularly on SW side. Have alteast 1-2 squadrons of American fighters, so that we begin with some infrastructure for these. But IAF must ensure that atleast 1 squadron is supplied by 2026 end including critical spares. This will altogether change the dynamics of global south. If India thinks that it will annoy China, one thing we must be always alert that, any which way the dragon will show it's true colour and their grabbing mentality will never go away.

 

[subhash]

We will be needing around 700 more fighters to be inducted in next 10 years to replace aging planes and reaching a level of 42 squadrons. So adding few squadrons of F35 will not impact tejas and AMCA program. But AMCA program should be given to private sector otherwise it will not come in even 20 years.

 

[Bijoy Kumar Shaw]

With our eyes totally focused on the development of the AMCA and Tejas, equal numbers of purchase of SU57s and F35s may be considered as an interim measure, based on the threat perception from across the enemy borders. We need to purchase large numbers of loyal wingman with 5th generation capabilities ( Boeing MQ28 Ghost bat, Kratos XQ 58 Valkyrie), as well as radar jamming capabilties which would help in countering the present threat.

 

[swatkats_razor]

While F-35 is a very capable aircraft and we must seriously consider the option offered by the Americans. Looking at how our own LCA program has been progressing, one can only wonder if AMCA will ever see the light of day.

The question we must ask ourselves is, are we so incapable? We can't produce our own aircrafts? Not even the 4th Gen types?

At least one thing is clear, if we are counting on HAL to maintain a capable airforce against a rapidly mordernizing China, we are looking at a very impossible future in balancing our military capabilities.

 

[divapooja]

It would, I suppose, be a great addition of capability, relatively soon and possibly even economically for the IAF; as the US has been a world leader in stealth and digital capabilities.

But I wonder what the implications for AMCA would be; and for the IAF’s own doctrine, ability to manage yet more diversity in terms of design, training, logistics etc.

I hope there is no implications for our ambitious AMCA fighter. Even we have more advantageous to no how stealthy technology specification

 

[Ravi@1803]

Solve the F404 issue. Another issue is of F414. These issues are going to directly affect the production of LCA MK1A and LCA MK2. AMCA is far off.

We should partially use the outsourcinh model, outsourcing the eastern defence partially to the weapons from US. Till we don't have the necessary resources to augment.

 

[CHANDRA MOHAN JAGOTA p]

Depending on HAL and reposing faith on the AMCA which is unlikely to materialise before 2035 we may have no option but to procure some stealth fighters to deal with the critical situation of the IAF which is dire in view of China's rapid addition of stealth fighters in addition to offering the same to Pakistan.

Add to this China is also encouraging a rapprochement between Pakistan and Bangladesh which is increasingly being drawn into the Chinese embrace. Faced with adversaries to the North, West and East India needs to speedily bolster the offensive capabilities of the IAF. Expect a fresh Pakistani bid to take Kashmir within the next few years.

We may be compelled to go in for at least 4 squadrons of stealth fighters off the shelf straightaway. It is for the IAF to determine which of the two to induct ( Sukhoi 57 or F35 ). A more ambitious bid may well be to go for both.

 

[anirudh]

I think we should go for F-35 Naval variant for Indian Navy not for Airforce. Some point for supporting that:
1. First of all F-35 Naval variant is vertical jump fighter plane and ort navy had experience of Sea Harrier . So many added advantages such as:
a. No need for further Aircraft carriers we can go head with Helicopter carriers also which cost almost half of one 60000 tonnes carrier. We can adjust with 2 such helicopter carrier with F-35 Naval Variant.
b. As we had S-400 from Russia then with Airforce ever time US make pressure for providing details on usage of F-35 that we can manage with Navy easily.

2. For Airforce we go head with Rafale and AMCA.

3. Tarif negotiation can happen with USA against F-35 Naval Variant.

4. I am just had some doubts that F-35 will some issues in Himalayas due to single engine.

 

[Sandeep]

The F35 jet is the best, most technologically advanced, superior than any other jet and its a very cost effective and cheap price of around $80-$100m.

I’m skeptic of this deal because trump has a habit of talking about issues or say anything that presents a win or benefits him personally in money, ego, trade deals, technology sales, military deals and personal vanity etc.

His exact words was that the USA will increase military sales and eventually provide the F35 jets. That’s a very vague sentence as it doesn’t say how many jets, how much for each jet or will they transfer any technology to us or allow us to manufacture any of it indigenously by using indigenous raw materials.

One major reason why they previously denied selling the F35 jet was because of India’s purchase of the S400 which would undermine the F35 stealth technology, capabilities and other critical parts or equipment on the F35 jet. All of the technology or issues would be compromised and allow Russia and China to find and exploit those weaknesses and issues which would harm their national security interests.

In reality this was just a convenient excuse for them to politely say no. We wanted to buy the USA SAM but they refused to provide any technology transfer to us and it was very expensive which is why that deal failed which is why we bought the S400. So this major security risk still exists today.

It would be highly unlikely that we will get the F35 jets but if by some miracle we do then we should only purchase a maximum of 2-4 squadrons only. Most of our entire stealth jets must be provided by the AMCA jets as they will be cheaper, indigenously manufactured, using Indigenous technology and weapons and it will only be the second best stealth fighter as ours will be a 5.5th generation jet with more capabilities and technology advantages over other stealth jets from China or Russia.