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.

 

[Surfer]

Wish we could do that, but it is not that easy. US has a list of prerequisites for us to get the F35. They also wanted us to buy a significant number before they can share TOT and allow us to customize. I am not sure if we can meet all those criteria, so we can simply assume that we are not getting it.

 

[hector1001]

America is not going to allow us to do anything with F-35s,even if we buy them. Remember, America is Israel's ally—not ours.

 

[Anant]

Very far-fetched to assume the US will even offer us the F-35 in the near future, let alone all the prospective concessions listed.

There is going be a long, expensive, and occasionally unnecessary path that will have to be taken if the IAF wants F-35s.

 

[Surfer]

America is not going to allow us to do anything with F-35s,even if we buy them. Remember, America is Israel's ally—not ours.

They said they might if we buy a significant number of them, like 200+.

 

[Scronkfinkle]

Daydreaming, who will do all that customization mentioned above? ADA, HAL jugalbandhi? These are talking, walking insanity. These entities can't deliver MK1A in numbers, let alone MKII and AMCA. We are expecting them to do all this customization, testing, and certification in record time? All this only when the F-35 bird is offered to us officially, not in a press conference of leaders. Wake up and smell the whisky; it ain't whisky but some cheap local brew.

 

[Enforcer]

Partial access to code is not as important for us. We don't have any sensors, EW suites, or weapons that are better than the American ones. Israel has the knowledge and technology to build advanced versions of weapons, but even their sensors and EW suites are not better than American ones.

For us, Astra integration would only be viable as a cost-cutting measure, but not for better performance.

 

[Sridhar]

Very far-fetched to assume the US will even offer us the F-35 in the near future, let alone all the prospective concessions listed.

There is going be a long, expensive, and occasionally unnecessary path that will have to be taken if the IAF wants F-35s.

By the time India, US conclude F35 deal, a decade would have passed and add another 3 years before the 1st F35 touches Indian soil. We are talking about a nearly 14 to 15 year time frame, by the time AMCA would become a reality.

IAF should accept US offer only if it comes without strings and can come quickly, else stick with AMCA and ensure HAL rolls it out at the earliest.

It's no use depending on either Russia or US or for that matter any country to give us free lunch.

Aero Engines - Go with a vendor who gives the best deal which will incl IP rights.

 

[Pad UwU]

Thus, India can shell out $100-150B for an India-specific variant.

 

[kumar]

We will only get a black box. We will not be able to use the F-35 to its full potential. Every customization will cost millions of dollars and will require clearance from the US government of the day.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

I don't think India will buy any 5th gen jet at all. India will make AMCA slowly till 2040. Meantime, IAF will go for MRFA and will build a 4th gen fighter with private companies in India. Mark my word. It will happen.

 

[Anant]

They said they might if we buy a significant number of them, like 200+.

We cannot afford 200 fighters of any type in one go, let alone F-35s. As a point of reference, 200 F-35s would easily cost us around 50 billion USD, assuming for a minute that the US decides to allow us to integrate our own weapons on them. If not, that cost could easily cross 60-65 billion.

 

[Parshu Narayanan]

Most important: Negotiate repainting with Indigenous RAM coating of Indium Oxide—which has to be done after every flight—to bring down excessively high per-hour costs.

 

[VKP]

First, can the USA be trusted? It's not just planes; training and maintenance are equally important. Next, the secondary systems: how can we integrate them? What changes are required?

 

[Frank]

Don't fall for it.

It's just a lollipop for us to sell us old, useless jets like the F-21 first.

Don't buy any fighter jets from the US.

 

[Somebody]

Wish we could do that, but it is not that easy. US has a list of prerequisites for us to get the F35. They also wanted us to buy a significant number before they can share TOT and allow us to customize. I am not sure if we can meet all those criteria, so we can simply assume that we are not getting it.

I don't think we even want them, let alone want to get them. I don't think the Air Force will agree to all the restrictions that it will come with.

 

[Spectator]

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.

 

[swatkats_razor]

The customizations suggested in the article are what we mostly source from Israel already for the Tejas program too.

Basically, incorporating these changes to the F-35 would give us the same as the Israeli version of the F-35. So instead of jumping through hoops, we should cut the noise and directly procure F-35s from Israel.

Don't know what the article's point is, but certainly from having our own "AMCA ruling the skies" in the 2010s to "buy the Israeli version of F-35s," we have come quite a distance.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

We cannot afford 200 fighters of any type in one go, let alone F-35s. As a point of reference, 200 F-35s would easily cost us around 50 billion USD, assuming for a minute that the US decides to allow us to integrate our own weapons on them. If not, that cost could easily cross 60-65 billion.

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.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Wish we could do that, but it is not that easy. US has a list of prerequisites for us to get the F35. They also wanted us to buy a significant number before they can share TOT and allow us to customize. I am not sure if we can meet all those criteria, so we can simply assume that we are not getting it.

They will never share TOT for F-35s, however much you buy from the US.

 

[P2S2]

Wish we could do that, but it is not that easy. US has a list of prerequisites for us to get the F35. They also wanted us to buy a significant number before they can share TOT and allow us to customize. I am not sure if we can meet all those criteria, so we can simply assume that we are not getting it.

Assume nothing

 

[Sandeep]

While India could try and negotiate something similar however the reality is that the USA and Israel are officially allies which is why they would give some leeway to Israel in customising the jet to their own standards.

With India they don’t look at us in the same way and even if there is a firm yes and they are open to sell the jet then we definitely won’t be given the same amount of opportunity to customise the jet with our own technology and weapons.

The other issue is that the upkeep and maintenance costs are huge and need to be done regularly and again they won’t be keen on allowing us to be as self sufficient. Also if we place any orders then we can buy a small number of 2 squadrons but anything more than that will sink the AMCA program which is tailored to our local environment, technology and costs.

 

[Overvoid]

You are forgetting that Israel is more important to the US than India by millions and millions of miles. US will give Israel everything to protect itself since US gets huge amount of defence technology from Isarel which India can't even think of providing

 

[JaiBharat]

In defense, it is crucial to stay at least a decade ahead of your adversaries, not 20 years behind. The second critical factor is the timely delivery of advanced systems to our armed forces. The third point is that national defense must always come first—regardless of the cost. The lives of our brave pilots and service members are of paramount importance, far above any other consideration. If acquiring top-tier, advanced systems in a timely manner is key to achieving these goals, then it is imperative to cut through the bureaucracy. After all, we never know when the enemy might strike.