Donald Trump offers India to buy F-35 fighters
US President Donald Trump has offered India to purchase F-35 fighter jets as part of strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Here's What We Know
The proposal came during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington and was presented at the Aero India 2025 air show in Bengaluru. The Indian Air Force is looking for new combat aircraft, and one of the main requirements is to produce a significant share of components under the Make In India programme.
Trump has said that the US plans to significantly increase military sales to India, including providing it with F-35 stealth fighters. The purchase of these aircraft will allow Lockheed Martin to expand its order book, which includes more than 500 units for export customers and more than 1,000 for the Pentagon.
The F-35 is a modern multi-role fighter aircraft that can significantly strengthen the Indian Air Force. In addition, its sale is part of the US strategy to strengthen military cooperation with India.
The F-35A fighter jet. Illustration: Lockheed Martin
At the same time, the Indian industry is not able to produce fifth-generation aircraft on its own, so the country is actively increasing purchases of American military equipment.
In November 2024, India's JSW Group signed an agreement with the American company Shield AI to produce drones. The JSW Group will invest $90 million to set up production facilities that will allow it to manufacture, assemble and maintain V-BAT UAVs in India.
Source: The War Zone