Trump Offers India F-35 Fighters
15 February, 2025 An F-35A fighter jet from the US Air Force. Photo by the US Air Force United States President Donald Trump has offered India to purchase F-35 fighter jets as part of deepening strategic cooperation between the two countries.
This was reported by The War Zone. This proposal was put forward at a time when the Indian Air Force is searching for new combat aircraft and narrowing the range of companies that meet the requirements of the Indian Ministry of Defense. One of the main requirements will be the production of a significant share of the components of the new aircraft in India under the "Make In India" program.
F-35A fighter jet of the US Air Force.
Photo credits: US Air Force
As noted, the US President put forward a proposal to supply the F-35 during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington. In addition, he also appeared at the Aero India 2025 international air show, which took place at the Indian Air Force base in Bengaluru in northwestern India, where he also inspected the American F-35 fighter jet. "Starting this year, we will increase military sales to India by many millions of dollars, and we are also paving the way to finally provide India with the F-35 stealth fighter," Trump said.
India's purchase of F-35s will enable Lockheed Martin to significantly expand its order book, which currently includes more than 500 units for export customers and more than 1,000 units under contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. The F-35 is not only a modern and high-tech product that can significantly improve the capabilities of the air forces of countries, but is also part of the US strategy to strengthen control over the Indian Armed Forces, making the country dependent on American products.
An F-35A at the Siauliai air base in Lithuania. Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of Defense
Today, India has no real alternatives to purchasing a ready-made fifth-generation aircraft, as the F-35 is a mass-produced and well-mastered product that currently has no direct competitors in its class. At the same time, the Indian industry is unable to fully master most modern weapons.
Therefore, the country is actively increasing its purchases of defense equipment from the United States. The latest contracts signed show that India views the United States as a major and reliable supplier of weapons to its armed forces. In November 2024, India's JSW Group established a joint venture with the American company Shield AI to produce drones.
As part of this cooperation, JSW Group will invest about £90 million over the next two years. The investments will be used to build a plant, acquire intellectual property, and train staff. This investment will create a modern production chain in India for the manufacture, assembly, testing and maintenance of V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Also in October 2024, India signed a contract with the United States for the supply of 31 MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles.