News Brief
F-35 Jets Not Like 'Washing Machine Or Refrigerator For Home' To Buy on Looks, Says Air Chief As India Awaits Formal US Offer
US Air Force F-35A
Weeks after US President Donald Trump pitched for the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, Air Force chief A P Singh clarified that the United States had not yet made a formal offer on the aircraft, India Today reported.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025, AP Singh emphasised the urgency for India to bridge the technological gap and expedite the development of its fifth-generation fighter jet programme.
According to Air Marshal AP Singh, the Air Force had yet to analyse the F-35 jet and the cost factor also needs to be looked into.
Priced at approximately $80 million, the jet remains among the most expensive in the market, and a US report has raised concerns over its performance.
"We need to analyse it carefully, what the requirements are and what comes along with it. The cost is also a part of it. It's not like a washing machine or refrigerator for home that we can buy by just the looks of it. We have not given it a thought. No offer has been made till now," the Air Force chief was quoted as saying by India Today.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February, Trump offered the F-35 stealth fighter jet to India.
Air Marshal A P Singh stressed that India might need to procure fighter jets off the shelf to address immediate operational requirements, especially with China unveiling sixth-generation combat aircraft.
Meanwhile, India’s own fifth-generation fighter jet initiative, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), remains under development, with the first jets projected to enter service by 2035.
"We may have to go in for off-the-shelf purchases with indigenous content until AMCA gets developed. Or develop AMCA at a faster pace," the Air chief said.
India currently has 30 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42. Each squadron comprises of 18 fighter aircraft.
