India-US Defense Partnership Strengthens
India and the US have grown in defense relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump have pledged to increase military cooperation across air, land, sea, space and cyberspace. They also plan to launch the “Autonomic Systems Industry Alliance (Asia)” to streamline defence trade and sign a new 10-year defence partnership agreement to replace the one signed in 2015.
However, as Rajat Pandit highlights in his TOI report, the biggest point was the F-35 sales pitch. This jet is usually sold only to NATO countries and allies. At this stage, it is just a proposal and the formal process has not yet begun. However, India needs to navigate a strong push for Trump’s contract, given his well-known trading approach to global politics.
“From this year, we’re going to increase military sales to India by hundreds of millions of dollars, and we’re also holding ways to ultimately offer the F-35 stealth fighter,” Trump said. The joint statement also said the US is considering a policy to release fifth-generation fighter jets and subsea systems to India.
Pros and cons of buying an F-35
The senior official told TOI that obtaining the F-35 could draw India deeper into the realm of US influence and could impact strategic independence. “Why do you think successive Indian governments over the years have acquired Russian, French and other fighter jets, but never acquired American fighter jets?” the official asked.
If India decides to pursue an F-35 transaction, several factors must be considered, including cost, technology access, lifecycle costs, and maintenance. Furthermore, India’s own fifth-generation fighter project, Advanced Medium Fighter (AMCA), should not be negatively affected. The government cleared Rs 15,000 for its development last year, but the project is still at least 10 years away from production. China’s Chengdu J-20, and Russia’s Skohoi 57. China plans to place the J-20 near the Indian border and supply the variant to Pakistan soon. We also recently tested two new sixth generation fighter prototypes. The IAF struggles with just 30 combat squadrons, but is allowed to have 42.5. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) continues to face challenges when producing fourth-generation Tejas Jets. “With AMCA at least 10-12 years from production, the IAF clearly will be tentatively 2-3 squadrons (36-54 jets) to acquire F-35s (36-54 jets) I’m deeply interested in it. If deterrent is needed to prevent war, then it clearly needs capacity,” another source told TOI.
Indian F-35?
The F-35 can also be considered in the long-standing project of the IAF of the 114 new multi-roll fighter jets. Other candidates for this project include Lafale from France, Skohoi 57 from Russia, Gripen E from Swedish, Eurofighter Typhoon and the American F-15Ex.
However, there is one major hurdle. This is the Russian S-400 air defense system, which is in the process of India making a $5.43 billion deal in 2018. The United States is strongly opposed to countries that run both the F-35 and the S. -400, because the latter radar tracks and potentially compromises the characteristics and electronic warfare capabilities of stealth fighters. Resolving this issue is a key challenge for India before moving forward with F-35 trading.
Input from TOI
