US Has Made No Formal Offer to Sell F-35 Fighter Jets to India: IAF Chief
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh says India has yet to decide on evaluating Russia’s Su-57 fighter, as the country continues to assess its future combat aircraft requirements.
JODHPUR, Oct 10: The United States has not made any formal offer to sell its F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft to India, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Saturday. He also confirmed that no decision has been taken on evaluating Russia’s proposal for the Su-57 stealth fighter.
Singh made the remarks during a press conference held on the sidelines of the concluding ceremony of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-2026 in Jodhpur.
Responding to a question about the reported American offer, the IAF chief made a light-hearted observation while sitting alongside the commander of the US Air Force’s Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).
“Your people don’t even let us go near the aircraft, and you are talking about selling it to us,” Singh said, casting doubt on reports suggesting that Washington had formally offered the F-35 to New Delhi.
On Russia’s proposal to supply the Su-57, Singh acknowledged that the offer had come to the Indian Air Force’s attention. However, he emphasised that the government had not yet taken a decision on whether the aircraft should be evaluated.
“Once the decision is conveyed to us (by the government), we will evaluate how well it (Su-57) meets our requirements,” he said.
The statements come amid India’s efforts to strengthen its combat capabilities and determine the requirements for its next-generation fighter fleet. The country is also pursuing the development of an indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft as part of its broader strategy to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The acquisition of advanced combat aircraft remains an important consideration for the IAF as it seeks to enhance operational readiness and address emerging security challenges. Any decision regarding foreign platforms would depend on the government’s assessment and the extent to which the aircraft meet India’s operational and strategic needs.
Tarang Shakti-2026 brought together the Indian Air Force and air forces from eight participating nations, including India. The multinational exercise provided an opportunity to improve operational coordination, strengthen professional relationships and exchange expertise among participating forces.
The event also served as a platform for discussions on modern air combat capabilities and cooperation between India and its international defence partners.
