Indian billion chatter reagent

India threatens a decisive choice in the modernization of its Air Force – but is the transfer of an American fighter?

During a visit to Washington last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump, who announced that there was “Like the road” F-35 is purchased for India, the aircraft is mainly sold for the closure of allies and partners.

A F-35 It is a multiple “fifth -generation” fighter with perfect sensors, AI combat systems and unobstructed data distribution capabilities. Built for evading radar, it is the most difficult aircraft in the sky – but at $ 80MA POP, also one of the most expensive. (Stel-udes characteristic of the “fifth-generation” fighter.)

Many believe that the military military is also decreasing with their destructive squads, India is faced with high proportions: Sprurge on a modern but expensive F-35 from the US or strengthening the defense ties through the local production of the Sukhoi SU-57 fighter.

Experts believe that reality is more nuanced, and the American “dog” is largely excited by the media-sponsored by the appearance of both planes in the largest aviation show of Asia, Aero India, in the southern city of Bangalore last month.

Trump’s proposal F-35 seems more “symbolic” than practical, caused by the impetus for the sale of US weapons, according to Ashley J. Telis, the senior fellow in the Carnegie Fund for International Peace.

Integration of the fifth -generation planes into the plans of the Indian Air Force (IAF) – focused on the home -grown average combat aircraft (AMCA) and more rafales – would be difficult, especially without the rights of joint production. Developed by the Indian Defense Organization (DRDO), AMCA is a fighter in India.

“It is unlikely that the F-35 will be offered for joint production in India-loving acquisition is likely to be a simple sale. It is unlikely to sit well with the Modi’s focus in India and significant monitoring of the end users in the event that F-35 is most likely not greeted India,” Mr. Telis said.

India’s problems with F -35 – it is its steep score, big service problems and operation – the availability of a jet plane is about 51% for the US Air Force, according to security expert Stephen Bryne, author “Sumshic”, Weapons and strategy. “The question is whether India is ready to invest billions of rupees in the F-35, knowing that it can better buy a Russian plane.”

But many reject the SU-57 as a true applicant, noting that India has been released from the decades of the joint preparation of the plane with Russia in 2018 on technology transfer disputes, costs and specifications.

Of course, the Indian Air Force age old and lack fighters.

It works with 31 combat and combat squadrons-in the main aircraft of the Russian and Soviet era-significantly below sanctioned 42. The key problem is the search for a long-term substitution of the Sukhoi-30, the universal labor riding IAF from Russia.

Christopher Clary, who recently pointed to the restless data from the ISS military balance: between 2014 and 2024, China added 435 fighters and ground attacks, Pakistan received 31 years and the Indian fleet decreased by 151 years.

Planned expansion of a jet fighter in India is largely homegrown, with plans to purchase over 500 aircraftBasically a lightweight combat aircraft.

Orders for 83 Tejas Mark 1a – Agile Multirlele Faither – are confirmed and 97 are expected to order. Meanwhile, the heavier, more advanced Mark 2 in development. Home -grown stealth -reables remains at least decades.

India also plans to buy 114 -score -trained fighters with a $ 20 billion multi -player aircraft (MRFA), which requires foreign aircraft building in India as part of a technological transaction transaction.

The Indian government, which has been delayed since 2019, is considering a transparent and non -controversial procurement process after it has encountered criticism about acquiring 36 rafales in an agreement with the government. Five aircraft are considered, and Rafale is leading because he is already in service with IAF.

Experts say the modernization of the Indian Air Force faces three key obstacles: financing, delay and dependence on foreign planes.

The cost of protection have Squeezed in a real plan. The foreign fighters program risks pulling out fate. While India prioritizes at home, Drdo delays foreign purchases, creating a recurrent cycle. Its violation requires a capable home -grown aircraft in a timely manner. Deliveries are also delayed due to delay in F-404 engines for Jets General Electric.

A key problem is a discrepancy between the Ministry of Defense and IAF’s needs, says Rahul Bhatiah, Eurosia Group analyst, a consulting geopolitical risk firm.

The Tejas Mark 1 collided with an early skepticism of the Air Force, leading to modernization such as Mark 1a and Mark 2 “.

Even the Indian Air Force Head Ap Singh lacked his frustration over delay.

“I can accept the promise that I will not buy anything outside, or I will wait for everything to be developed in India, but it may be impossible if it does not come at this pace (in time),” said Air Marshall Singh recently.

“At the moment, we all know that we are very badly disconnected when it comes to figures (fighters). And the numbers that were promised are also slow. So, there will be a requirement to go and look for what can quickly fill these voids,” he said, referring to the TEJAS Mark 1a delay, which were to start in February.

The clear priority of India is a home -grown fighter who is over $ 1 billion, which is already striving for its development. “A foreign hidden aircraft will only be considered if the direct perception of India’s threat changes,” says Mr. Bhaty. China has two so-called stel-j-20 and j-35-but-they probably do not meet US standards.

Most experts believe that India will choose either American or Russian fighters. “In the short term, it is evident in the past conflicts, emergency purchases can fill in gaps. The medium-term focus is joint production, but the long game is understandable-soluble,” says Mr. Bhatia.

For India, the future AirPower is not only in buying planes – it is about creating them, ideally with a strong Western partner. But in order to succeed in this vision, India must deliver its fighters in a timely manner.