US Under Trump May Grant NATO-Like Status for India to Ease Arms Export Restrictions, Paving Way for F-35 Acquisition to Counter China

The US President Trump is reportedly considering granting India a status equivalent to NATO allies in terms of arms procurement, according to defense analysts. This move could significantly streamline the process for India to acquire advanced American weaponry, potentially including the F-35 fighter jet.

Such a policy shift would mean India would face fewer bureaucratic hurdles and licensing delays when purchasing US military equipment. This could expedite the acquisition of cutting-edge technology, eliminating the need to first purchase less advanced platforms.

For the Indian Air Force (IAF), this could represent a significant opportunity to modernize its aging fleet. Access to the F-35A Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, would bolster India's air superiority and strategic deterrence capabilities in the region.

Historically, India's access to US defence technology has been restricted by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Granting NATO-like status would effectively bypass these regulations, facilitating smoother arms transfers.

This potential move is widely seen as part of a broader US strategy to counterbalance China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. A stronger Indian military is viewed as a key element in this strategy.

However, no concrete deals or timelines have been confirmed. The implementation of this policy would depend on various political factors both in the US and India.

For India, this could mean not only enhanced military capabilities but also potential opportunities for co-production and technology sharing, boosting its domestic defense industry.

Acquiring advanced platforms like the F-35A would also entail significant financial considerations, including the cost of maintenance and long-term support. These factors would need careful consideration in India's defense budget planning.

 

[sanket]

But now NATO, which mostly comprises European nations, is developing its own defence platforms: Tempest, FCAS, EURODRONE, etc. Apart from the aero-engine, what can the US offer? That too would be developed with a foreign partner from Europe - RR or Safran. The F-21 and F-15Ex should first meet the criteria, then all the formalities. I don't think it will beat Eurofighter and Rafale in tech parameters.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Procuring F35 will be like shooting yourself.

 

[desigandu]

Doable if Bharat dangles $ and lobbies hard, can get the F35A, at least 50 in flyaway condition!

 

[Radha Ramanan]

When $20 billion are on the table, chances are Trump will reach out to India for the F-35 sale. But the S-400 system will have to be compromised; that will be the condition. Actually, in Indian service, the S-400 is mainly used for ABM and anti-AWACS type roles. The S-400 can do nothing if the enemy comes in low-level up to 50 km, which is the norm in the India-Pakistan scenario. We have many other SAMs catering to low and medium-level threats. Israel easily destroyed S-300 systems in Iran with jamming and long-range LORA and Rampage strikes.

 

[kumar]

And what happens if in next election, left returns to power in US. We are already begging for f404 engines and our defence preparedness is getting affected. Imagine, this scenario. We will have to bend over backwards daily.

 

[Kira]

It's true that Trump will indeed prioritize defence and energy deals with India to balance trade ties just as he had done in his first term with the inclusion of India in restricted items trade list.

 

[Scooter2000]

Procuring F35 will be like shooting yourself.

"Absurd" Acquiring the F-35 would give India "Air Superiority" over China / Pakistan. Do you care to name another type available to India that could do the same.

 

[Scooter2000]

It's true that Trump will indeed prioritize defence and energy deals with India to balance trade ties just as he had done in his first term with the inclusion of India in restricted items trade list.

The Indian / US Relationship is beneficial to both nations....it's just the rest of the world that doesn't like it. Especially, China, Iran. North Korea, Pakistan, and Russia.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

"Absurd" Acquiring the F-35 would give India "Air Superiority" over China / Pakistan. Do you care to name another type available to India that could do the same.

It may be technologically superior but we will have to dance to USA's tunes.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

"Absurd" Acquiring the F-35 would give India "Air Superiority" over China / Pakistan. Do you care to name another type available to India that could do the same.

Large number of our fighter jets will be dependent on USA's engines. Don't keep all your eggs in one basket. USA has sanctioned us many times, we must not forget that fact.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

I knew it, Trumpji will help Bharat in every way as I've been telling you. F35s will be offered to Bharat in April when Teumpji visits Bharat.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

It may be technologically superior but we will have to dance to USA's tunes.

We already are. We stopped buying oil from Iran in 2019 under US pressure though trade was in INR.

 

[PKPRS]

"Absurd" Acquiring the F-35 would give India "Air Superiority" over China / Pakistan. Do you care to name another type available to India that could do the same.

where are we sending our S-400’s and Voronezh’s then, getting F35 is only a dream, may be LM might help with AMCA like how it helps South Korean KAI KF-21 Boromae, if we buy jets (the jet most of the members of this forum love) from them.

 

[PKPRS]

Doable if Bharat dangles $ and lobbies hard, can get the F35A, at least 50 in flyaway condition!

Yes absolutely, if we either take S-400’s and Voronezh’s and dump them in the middle of Indian Ocean or if we donate them to Ukraine, we might even get a few for free in deep appreciation.

 

[Jan Rodricks]

But now NATO, which mostly comprises European nations, is developing its own defence platforms: Tempest, FCAS, EURODRONE, etc. Apart from the aero-engine, what can the US offer? That too would be developed with a foreign partner from Europe - RR or Safran. The F-21 and F-15Ex should first meet the criteria, then all the formalities. I don't think it will beat Eurofighter and Rafale in tech parameters.

What does the US have to offer? Weaponry. US holds a vast tech lead.

Northrop Grumman M-ACE - cheap drone swarm defense system. Carried on two pickup trucks.

Anduril Road Runner - SAM that flies back to launch site if not expended.

Raytheon Stormbreaker - 100kg glide bombs, 100 km range. Penetrates up to 2 meters of concrete. AI-integrated radar/IR/laser sensors autonomously identify targets in bad weather. An F-15E can carry 28(!) Stormbreakers; F-35A carries 8 internally.

Anduril Road Runner - Relaunchable SAM. Returns to launch point if not expended against a target.

AFRL QUICKSINK - antiship JDAM.

Weapons aren't usually mentioned when comparing jets, but they are as or more important as any other feature.

 

[Jan Rodricks]

I knew it, Trumpji will help Bharat in every way as I've been telling you. F35s will be offered to Bharat in April when Teumpji visits Bharat.

It was Trump that kicked Turkey out of the F-35 program over Turkish S-400. The S-400's capability to record intelligence on targets makes it an unacceptable source for engineering data falling into Russian technicians' hands.

So long as current generation Russian radars are present in India, Pentagon will not slit its own throat by supporting pro-Russia India possessing its principle stealth jet.

 

[Jan Rodricks]

Large number of our fighter jets will be dependent on USA's engines. Don't keep all your eggs in one basket. USA has sanctioned us many times, we must not forget that fact.

The US builds the best combat jet engines in the world by a good bit. Only fringe Indians live in this fantasy world of the US yanking support. US has only sanctioned India over two nuclear weapons detonations. So, unless India plans to explode any new nukes....

BTW, GE also powers all of India's newest frigate and aircraft carrier classes (Vikrant, Nilgiri, Shivalik).

 

[Jan Rodricks]

We already are. We stopped buying oil from Iran in 2019 under US pressure though trade was in INR.

Iran just used that oil money to launch nearly 300 drones and ballistic missiles at Israel.

BTW, the US and allies helped Israel shoot down nearly all of the Iranian drones and missiles. Where was so-called "friend of Israel" India?

No significant damage was done to Israeli targets.

 

[Jan Rodricks]

Doable if Bharat dangles $ and lobbies hard, can get the F35A, at least 50 in flyaway condition!

Not unless the threat of Russians. data gathering from their radars sold to India is solved. Indian Russia ties make it an untrustworthy player to the Pentagon regardless of Trump. Conress approves arms sales.

US has many old, reliable allies threatened by Russia (e.g., Korea, Japan, Poland, Denmark) that rely on F-35's data being secured. No way will the Pentagon sell out Poland just because India remains addicted to the weapons of Russia.

 

[Jan Rodricks]

When $20 billion are on the table, chances are Trump will reach out to India for the F-35 sale. But the S-400 system will have to be compromised; that will be the condition. Actually, in Indian service, the S-400 is mainly used for ABM and anti-AWACS type roles. The S-400 can do nothing if the enemy comes in low-level up to 50 km, which is the norm in the India-Pakistan scenario. We have many other SAMs catering to low and medium-level threats. Israel easily destroyed S-300 systems in Iran with jamming and long-range LORA and Rampage strikes.

Also, India's new long-range surveillance radar, F-35 will have to be protected from that. F-35 is the backbone of the US and about 20 other nations fighter forces. There isn't enough cash from anyone to justify giving Russia data on how to defeat it.

 

[Arin Kumar]

With this clearance we should buy Military Robots from Boston Dynamics and Direct Energy Weapons like Laser Guns and Microwave-based DEWs.

We must avoid F 35. Our engineers dont have enough technical skill to repair or operate these highly advanced aircraft. It will have a huge running cost - as a result our pilots will be training less - as a result they will be less prepared in a war. Also every weapon will be Made in USA and hence super-expensive.

Just imagine shooting a 8 million Dollar USD air to air missile to take down a 30 million USD JF-17. And failing to take it down.