The evolving aerial power dynamics in South Asia are prompting the United States to consider bold strategies.
According to Dr Marcus Hale, a senior strategist at the Institute for Strategic Air Studies, Washington is highly motivated to present India with the Lockheed Martin F-35A.
The primary objective of this diplomatic push is to steer New Delhi away from purchasing Russia’s advanced Su-57E stealth fighter.
This urgency from the US is largely driven by reports surrounding Pakistan's ambitions to acquire China’s Shenyang J-35A fifth-generation stealth aircraft.
If Islamabad successfully integrates these advanced jets alongside Beijing's own growing stealth fleet, the regional balance of power could significantly shift against India.
Although Pakistan's defence minister publicly dismissed these acquisition rumours as "media chatter" in mid-2025, defence experts note that the country has already inducted Chinese J-10CE fighters and remains highly focused on upgrading its stealth capabilities.
Fearing that India might respond to this regional threat by turning to Moscow, US analysts believe Washington is eager to offer an American alternative.
To counter Russia's influence, the US positioned the F-35 as a premium option. President Donald Trump brought the proposal to the forefront during diplomatic meetings in early 2025, suggesting the stealth fighter could be part of a larger surge in military cooperation.
However, recent open-source information indicates that India has formally communicated its disinterest in the F-35. New Delhi reportedly cited the aircraft's exorbitant maintenance costs and the lack of comprehensive technology transfer as major dealbreakers.
Instead, India is heavily prioritising its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, having recently shortlisted private Indian consortia to begin building prototypes.
A significant technical obstacle to any F-35 deal has always been India’s operational reliance on the Russian S-400 air defence system. American officials fear that operating F-35s in the same airspace as S-400 radars could expose the jet's classified stealth characteristics to Moscow.
While the US considered proposing restricted deployment zones to solve this issue, Russia has aggressively countered with a highly attractive deal.
During the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, Moscow offered India full, unrestricted technology transfer and licensed production for the Su-57. This proposal promises local manufacturing of critical components like engines and radars, which directly aligns with India's manufacturing goals.
For the Indian public and military planners, acquiring a fifth-generation fighter is a monumental and complex decision.
The Indian Air Force must carefully balance its historical dependence on Russian hardware, the advanced capabilities of Western platforms, and the accelerating push for domestic manufacturing.
Whichever path New Delhi chooses, it will dictate the nation's financial commitments, strategic alliances, and air superiority for decades to come.
