Trump’s F-35 offer: Challenges galore before India acquires and operates US fighter jets

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing a serious shortage of fighter jets. The number of squadrons has dropped far below the approved 42, which are required to handle a possible war on two fronts—against China and Pakistan. To address this issue, India plans to buy 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), but the process of selecting, purchasing and deploying them will take several years.

Meanwhile, there is a debate about whether the F-35 Lightning II could serve as a temporary solution to strengthen India’s air power. This discussion gained attention after US President Donald Trump suggested the possibility during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 is the most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter available for export. It features top-tier avionics, sensor fusion and stealth technology. Its advanced electronic warfare systems, network-centric capabilities and powerful sensors provide unmatched situational awareness.

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However, despite its advantages, acquiring the F-35 as a temporary solution for the IAF’s fighter jet shortage presents major challenges including logistics and high costs.

F-35’s capabilities

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by the United States and used by several allied countries including the UK, Israel, Japan and Australia. It comes in three versions: the F-35A for regular takeoff and landing, the F-35B for short takeoff and vertical landing, and the F-35C for aircraft carriers. Its biggest strength is stealth with a low radar signature that helps it evade enemy detection and operate in high-risk areas.

The F-35 is equipped with the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare systems and secure data links like MADL (Multi-Function Advanced Data Link). These features provide a significant advantage in gathering and sharing battlefield information, making it more lethal and harder to target. There is no doubt that if the IAF were to acquire the F-35, it would significantly enhance its air superiority and precision strike capabilities.

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Challenges in inducting the F-35 into the IAF

One of the biggest challenges in acquiring the F-35 is its incompatibility with the IAF’s current fleet. The IAF operates a mix of Russian, French and Indian-made aircraft including the Su-30MKI, MiG-29, Rafale, Mirage-2000 and Tejas.

The F-35’s advanced software and data-sharing systems are designed to work seamlessly with Nato forces making them fundamentally incompatible with India’s Russian-origin Su-30MKI or even the Rafale. Integrating the F-35 into the IAF’s command-and-control network would require a complete infrastructure overhaul which would be both costly and time-consuming.

Another major issue is the strict export controls imposed by the US government on the F-35. Since India is not a Nato ally and follows an independent defence policy, securing full approval for such an advanced fighter would be difficult, despite President Trump’s endorsement.

The US has already demonstrated reluctance to share F-35 technology by removing Turkey from the programme after it purchased the Russian S-400 missile defence system. Given that India also operates the S-400, Washington would have significant reservations.

If India ultimately decides to procure the F-35, it must also find a way to avoid the restrictions imposed by the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Financially, the F-35 is one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world. Although the price per jet has dropped to around $80–100 million, the total lifetime cost for operating the fleet is expected to exceed $1.7 trillion. The aircraft also requires frequent maintenance, particularly its stealth coating, which must be regularly serviced to preserve its low observability.

Moreover, the F-35’s mission-capable rate is around 55 per cent, meaning that nearly half of the fleet could be non-operational at any given time. Given the IAF’s existing budget constraints and investments in multiple indigenous fighter programmes procuring such an expensive and high-maintenance aircraft would be challenging.

Is the F-35 a viable option for India?

While the F-35 is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, integrating it into the IAF would require a massive overhaul of existing infrastructure, systems and logistics. If India successfully acquires the F-35, it would boost its military preparedness significantly, especially against the backdrop of a rapid modernisation of its forces by increasingly aggressive China and a swift shift by Pakistan from the Washington camp to the Beijing group, altering the security balance in South Asia.