In contrast to what happened to Turkey, India was not facing military sanctions from Washington for purchasing the same S-400 defense system. Scroll down for more information.
When US President Donald Trump met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, he provided India with an advanced fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter. After announcing the same, President Trump spoke with reporters, “We are planning to expand military sales worth billions of dollars to India. We also have a way to offer F-35 stealth fighters to India. It’s paved.”
Reports around the world interpreted this as a sign of growth in the ties between New Delhi and Washington. However, this major defence development could irritate Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan. This is why.
Why is Turkey angry?
Ankara intended to acquire at least 100 F-35A jets, but in 2017, the tensions came after Turkey rasing Erdogan’s desires after signing a contract with Moscow to purchase the S-400 air defense system. has increased. Washington’s response went beyond banishing Turkey from the F-35 program. It also imposed military sanctions on Ankara under Caatsa. The only reason for these punitive measures was the Turkish decision to procure Russia’s S-400 system.
In contrast to what happened to Turkey, India was not facing military sanctions from Washington for purchasing the same S-400 defense system. Instead, the US is actively encouraging India to consider taking over the F-35 fighter jet. This harsh difference between Türkiye and India’s treatment is clear.
We open up to provide F-35 stealth fighter planes to India
In a key announcement, US President Donald Trump said the US will increase military sales to India by billions of dollars, and that his administration is open to India with ways to provide F35 stealth fighters .
“From this year, we will increase military sales to India by hundreds of millions of dollars, and we are also paving how we will ultimately provide India with stealth fighters,” Trump said in a bilateral statement. He spoke at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the meeting.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most widely deployed fifth-generation fighter, is the Aeroind, the largest aerospace and defense exhibition in Asia, held earlier this month at Ellahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. I participated in the 15th edition.
Fighters integrate advanced stealth, unparalleled situational awareness and networked combat capabilities. Earlier in the day, US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz called out Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(Includes input from the agent)
