Islamabad, Aug 1, 2025: India has reportedly informed the United States that it will not be purchasing the F-35 stealth fighter jets, developed by Lockheed Martin, despite an official offer from President Donald Trump during his February 2025 meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
The proposal was part of a larger American initiative to boost defense exports and reduce India’s dependency on Russian military hardware.
The F-35, a fifth-generation aircraft costing around $80 million each, also comes with substantial upkeep expenses. Multiple factors influenced New Delhi’s choice. The Indian Air Force, currently operating below its sanctioned squadron strength, is prioritizing cost-effective upgrades to counter threats from regional rivals, particularly China.
Moreover, the F-35’s advanced systems do not align with India’s existing Russian-origin platforms like the Il-78 refueling fleet and the Integrated Air Command & Control System.
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Another key hurdle is Washington reluctance to offer technology sharing or joint production rights an essential part of India “Make in India” strategy. In contrast, Russia has proposed co-manufacturing its Su-57 stealth aircraft in India which better fits local production goals under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme that seeks 114 jets.
Tensions over trade have further strained bilateral relations. Since April 2025, President Trump has criticized India $45.8 billion trade surplus and high import duties, eventually announcing a 25% tariff on Indian goods. Though he refers to India as a “friend,” the tariff decision also includes penalties over India’s defense ties with Russia.
