25 May 2025, NIICE Commentary 11054
Kishore Yadav A & Ryan B Fernandes
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States in February 2025, while discussing the growing defense cooperation between the two nations, Trump spoke about "paving the way to ultimately provide India with F-35 stealth fighters." This statement is unprecedented, as the United States has never sold fighter jets to India, a country whose air force has traditionally depended on Russian-made units. If this proposal were to materialize, it would signify a transformative moment in India’s military history and substantially shift the balance of air power in South Asia.
India’s Air Force Capabilities and Modernization Trajectory
India's air force inventory is currently undergoing a modernisation process. Predominantly, the Indian Air Force (IAF) operates the Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-29 UPG, and MiG-21 Bison, as well as French-built Dassault Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighters, alongside the domestically developed HAL Tejas Mk1. The Rafale is categorized as a 4.5-generation aircraft, while the Su-30MKI is often described as a 4++ generation aircraft, so India does not have a 5th-generation fighter jet yet. The potential acquisition of the F-35 would not only fill this critical technological void but also mark India’s entry into the exclusive group of nations operating fifth-generation fighters. This is particularly significant at a time when regional powers, especially China, are accelerating the development of 6th-generation platforms such as the J-36 and J-50, thereby escalating the arms race in the region.
Strategic Advantages of Acquiring the F-35
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II represents the cutting edge of fifth-generation fighter technology, offering a suite of capabilities that could dramatically enhance the operational profile of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The aircraft’s most prominent feature is its stealth design, which minimizes radar cross-section and allows for operations in contested environments with significantly reduced detectability. In a region increasingly dominated by advanced radar and surface-to-air missile systems, this attribute is crucial for both defensive and offensive missions. Furthermore, the F-35's integration of advanced avionics and sensor fusion offers a level of situational awareness unprecedented in previous fighter platforms. Its ability to gather, process, and share real-time data across multiple assets would significantly enhance India’s command-and-control effectiveness. This network-centric capability could act as a force multiplier, particularly in joint and coalition operations with Western allies.
The F-35’s acquisition would also play a vital role in India’s ongoing effort to modernize its air fleet. The IAF plans to retire several legacy platforms, including the MiG-21 Bison and MiG-29, by 2027 due to obsolescence and high maintenance costs. The F-35 would not only fill this capability gap but also ensure continuity in air superiority. Strategically, the acquisition would serve as a counterbalance to Pakistan’s induction of Chinese J-35 stealth fighters and China’s rapid progress in developing sixth-generation platforms such as the J-36 and J-50. In such a security environment, the F-35 could serve as both a deterrent and a symbol of India’s strategic autonomy.
Challenges to Acquisition and Geopolitical and Regional Implications
Despite the clear strategic benefits, the path to integrating the F-35 into India’s defense system could face significant challenges. One of the most pressing concerns is the issue of technology transfer. The United States maintains strict export control regulations, particularly with respect to its most advanced military technologies. As a non-NATO ally, India may face limitations on access to sensitive software, hardware, and operational procedures. These restrictions may conflict with India’s "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, which prioritizes self-reliance and domestic defense manufacturing. Financial constraints also pose a substantial hurdle. The F-35 is among the most expensive fighter jets in the world, with high acquisition and lifetime operating costs. India's recent $7.4 billion agreement with France to procure Rafale Marine aircraft for its navy may further strain the defense budget, limiting fiscal flexibility for additional big spends.
Another challenge is operational compatibility. The F-35 requires a sophisticated logistical and maintenance ecosystem that is heavily dependent on U.S. oversight. Continuous software updates, performance monitoring, and supply chain dependencies could result in long-term reliance on American support infrastructure. Additionally, integrating the F-35 into India's existing defense framework, dominated by Russian-origin platforms such as the Su-30MKI and the S-400 air defense system, could prove technologically complex. The United States is unlikely to permit sensitive aircraft data to interface with systems connected to Russian platforms, potentially reducing the aircraft’s interoperability within India’s broader defense apparatus.
The induction of the F-35 into the Indian Air Force would carry profound geopolitical consequences for South Asia and beyond. At the most immediate level, it is likely to catalyze a regional arms race. Pakistan’s acquisition of the J-35 stealth fighter and India's potential procurement of the F-35 would elevate the strategic competition between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, possibly diverting resources toward military modernization at the expense of socio-economic development.
China, which already boasts of 5th generation aircrafts in its arsenal is moving forward with the development of its own 6th generation aircrafts called the J-35 and J-50 India’s adoption of the F-35 could prompt Beijing to accelerate its own efforts, not only in manned platforms but also in related technologies such as unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), hypersonic weapons, and cyberwarfare. This intensification of military competition risks destabilizing the regional security environment.
The acquisition could also shift India's position within the global geopolitical framework. Operating the F-35 would enhance India’s interoperability with the U.S. and other Western militaries, thereby deepening strategic alignments within forums such as the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue). However, such alignment could also provoke friction with Russia, a long-time defense partner, and raise concerns among non-aligned countries about India’s geopolitical direction.
Conclusion
The strategic calculus surrounding India's potential acquisition of the F-35 is multifaceted. While the fighter jet offers undeniable advantages in terms of stealth, technological superiority, and deterrence, the challenges of financial cost, integration complexity, and geopolitical balancing cannot be overlooked. Furthermore, the regional and international implications of such a move demand careful consideration. The F-35 represents more than just a leap in air power; it is a symbol of strategic intent. Whether India can reconcile the benefits with the burdens will determine not only the trajectory of its air force but also its broader role in shaping regional and global security dynamics.
Kishore Yadav A is a Postgraduate in Applied Sociology from Christ (Deemed to be University), India & Ryan B Fernandes is currently pursuing his Master's in International Relations, Christ (Deemed to be University), India.
