JAIPUR, April 25 - In a key move to change India’s defense strategy, the U.S. has offered India the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets. These advanced jets would replace India’s older Russian-made planes. U.S. Vice President JD Vance made this offer during his visit to India in April 2025. The goal is to strengthen military ties with India while reducing Russia's influence as India’s main weapons supplier. This is part of the U.S.'s plan to build stronger alliances in the Indo-Pacific due to rising global tensions, especially with China.
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In a speech in Jaipur, Vance talked about the benefits of U.S.-India cooperation. He highlighted the F-35’s advanced features, such as stealth abilities, AI-driven systems, and excellent data-sharing, which would greatly benefit the Indian Air Force (IAF). Currently, the IAF relies on older Russian-made planes like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. With the ongoing war in Ukraine affecting Russia’s ability to export arms, India is looking to Western countries for upgrades. This makes Vance’s offer very timely.
This offer builds on President Donald Trump’s announcement in February 2025 during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about plans to increase military sales to India, including the F-35. At the same time, Russia offered to produce its Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets in India to maintain its defense ties with the country. The competition between the U.S. and Russia was evident at the Aero India 2025 airshow in Bengaluru, where both the F-35 and Su-57 were showcased. However, integrating the F-35 into India’s military has challenges. Each jet costs about $80 million, plus high maintenance expenses, raising concerns about its cost-effectiveness, especially among India’s opposition parties. Technical issues also exist because the F-35’s communication systems are incompatible with India’s Russian air control systems and cannot be refueled by India’s Russian Il-78 tankers. Furthermore, the U.S. is unlikely to offer co-production or technology sharing, which are important for India’s “Make in India” initiative to boost local defense manufacturing.
Russia’s Su-57 offer includes full technology transfer and local production, supporting India’s self-reliance goals. However, there are doubts about the Su-57’s stealth abilities, and some experts believe it is less effective in combat than the F-35. India also focuses on developing its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter expected to be ready by 2034. During Vance’s visit, he and Prime Minister Modi also discussed trade negotiations, working to finalize a potential agreement. While the F-35 offer strengthens U.S.-India relations, it presents a choice for India: adopt advanced Western technology or maintain partnerships with Russia and focus on local development. This decision will influence India’s military future and signal its global alliances in a polarized world.