Why India Should Pursue F-35s with an Israeli-Style Approach, Combining Indigenous Technology and Operational Control

India's need for a modernized and powerful air force has become increasingly urgent due to growing regional tensions and the need to maintain a credible deterrent against potential adversaries, such as China and Pakistan.

The possibility of acquiring Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II fighter jet from the United States presents a significant opportunity for India to significantly enhance its stealth capabilities.

To get the most strategic benefit from this potential purchase, India should consider a procurement strategy similar to that used by Israel for its customized F-35I Adir variant.

Israel's acquisition of the F-35I Adir provides a clear model for how a nation can modify a foreign-built platform to fit its specific security needs while retaining operational independence.

Israel negotiated substantial concessions from the United States and Lockheed Martin, enabling it to integrate its own systems and achieve a level of self-sufficiency. This has made the F-35I Adir different from other versions, like the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C used by the U.S. and other allies.

The F-35I Adir stands out due to several key changes:

• Integrated Israeli Electronic Warfare Systems: Israel equipped the Adir with its own electronic warfare (EW) suite, using sensors and countermeasures created by companies like Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This improves the jet's ability to operate in challenging environments, countering advanced radar and missile threats from Israel's regional rivals.
• Customized Weapons Load: The Adir is capable of carrying Israeli-manufactured weapons, including air-to-air missiles and precision-guided bombs, which are fully integrated into the aircraft's internal weapons bays. This ensures that the F-35I is compatible with Israel's existing arsenal and reduces reliance on U.S.-supplied munitions.
• Enhanced Data Link and Processing: The F-35I uses the Link 16 data link, which is a standard NATO network. However it has an Israeli Command and Control system on top of this. According to Lockheed Martin, this "plug-and-play" feature provides the capacity for additional, unique Israeli systems to be incorporated into the aircraft’s open architecture.
• Stealth and Extended Range: While maintaining the F-35's fundamental stealth characteristics, such as a low radar cross-section and sensor fusion, Israel incorporated external conformal fuel tanks. This modification extends the aircraft's range, enabling it to reach distant targets, such as those in Iran, located over 1,700 kilometers away.
• Independent Maintenance: Israel has created its own supply chain and maintenance facilities for the F-35I. This reduces its dependence on the global F-35 sustainment network, which is managed by Lockheed Martin and the U.S., ensuring operational readiness even during times of geopolitical instability.

These modifications have been validated in actual combat scenarios. Since its operational introduction in 2018, the F-35I has participated in missions over Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. Notably, in 2023, it achieved the first interception of a Houthi cruise missile by an F-35.

For India to acquire F-35s resembling the F-35I Adir, a strategic approach is needed. This approach must balance U.S. export regulations with India's defense priorities, particularly those outlined in the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. A potential roadmap includes the following steps:

• Negotiating for Customization: India should seek access to the F-35's avionics architecture, similar to Israel's "plug-and-play" system, to allow for the integration of domestically produced systems. This could include the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) Astra missile, DRDO-developed EW suites, and the BNET software-defined radio (SDR) for secure communication.
• Securing Partial Source Code Access: Although the U.S. maintains complete control over the F-35's source code, Israel obtained partial access to modify software. India should request a similar arrangement to customize the jet's mission data files, which are essential for identifying threats specific to China and Pakistan.
• Establishing Local Maintenance and Production: India could negotiate with Lockheed Martin to establish an F-35 maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility within the country, potentially involving Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Co-producing components, similar to Israel's arrangement with IAI for manufacturing F-35 wings, could also help reduce costs and strengthen India's defense industry.
• Leveraging Government-to-Government Agreements: While India does not receive direct U.S. military aid like Israel, it could structure the acquisition as a government-to-government (G2G) deal, similar to the Rafale purchase from France. This would help ensure competitive pricing (around $110 million per unit, comparable to the Adir) and faster delivery.
• Addressing Integration Challenges: Integrating the F-35 with India's diverse arsenal, which includes Russian, French, and indigenous platforms, presents challenges. The compatibility of the F-35 with Russian S-400 systems, already in India's inventory, is a concern due to U.S. sensitivities. One solution could be to follow Israel's example by geographically or operationally separating F-35 operations from S-400 deployments.
• Balancing with Indigenous Programs: It has been discussed that acquiring F-35s might affect India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter currently under development. Since the AMCA is expected to be inducted in the mid-2030s, the F-35 may be used as an temporary solution to address the Indian Air Force's (IAF) fighter squadron shortage (currently at 31 instead of the approved 42). One strategy can be to limit buying it to two squadrons —while allocating funds to AMCA.

By adopting a tailored approach inspired by the Israeli model, India can maximize the F-35's potential, enhancing its air power while fostering self-reliance in defense technology and operations.

 

[Anant]

We can easily afford 200 F-35s as we are going to be the 3rd largest economy with a $5 trillion GDP in a year or two.

GDP does not directly translate to the money you have available to spend. We cannot afford 200 F-35s, and that is a simple fact. 200 F-35s would mean something like 50-60 billion USD in purchase costs plus 2.5-4 times that amount over the service period.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

Acquiring 114 MRFA is not going to happen, and procuring F35 is an even unimaginable acquisition as an interim solution to bridge the stopgap. The bureaucrats are not interested at all in acquiring 114 MRFA simply because they are banking on Tejas Mk1A and Mk2, which will solve the immediate solution to the stopgap the IAF is critically facing. But the crucial question the bureaucrats need to seriously consider is when will the IAF have adequate numbers to complement the fighter squadrons. Say with an output of 36 aircraft per year from the assembly lines, it will take three years to produce 108 Tejas Mk1A. I am not sure whether there are enough F414 engines and other parts ready for the Mk2 assembly. So, with these uncertainties and 31 fighter squadrons, can we have a formidable air power to deal with a two-pronged imminent attack? Remember, escalation of war doesn't come with an invitation.

 

[P2S2]

I don't like this. The F-35 fighter jet, while highly advanced, presents several disadvantages for India. First, its high acquisition and maintenance costs may strain India's defense budget. Additionally, dependence on U.S. technology could raise concerns about operational sovereignty, with potential limitations on use during certain conflicts due to export restrictions or geopolitical pressures. India's diverse fleet could also face logistical challenges, as integrating the F-35 with existing platforms may require substantial infrastructure upgrades. Finally, reliance on a single foreign supplier for spare parts and technical support may pose risks in case of diplomatic or supply chain disruptions, just like the engine delay happening right now.

To evolve we need to train the personnel first