U.S. will offer the F-35A stealth fighter to India in response to the airpower pact between Pakistan and China

In a significant development that may reshape the strategic equilibrium in South Asia, the United States is reportedly set to officially propose the F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighter to India as soon as June this year.

U.S. to Formally Offer F-35A Stealth Fighters to India, Bypassing MRFA for Direct FMS Dealhttps://t.co/ILwyaUP8oB pic.twitter.com/I5PmD9BgtW

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With New Delhi confronting the swift progress of Chinese and Pakistani fifth-generation airpower capabilities, this potential acquisition is seen as a vital factor in strengthening the Indian Air Force’s deterrent stance.

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is actively expanding its fleet of Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” stealth fighters, while Pakistan is anticipated to introduce the new Chinese-manufactured Shenyang J-35A by 2026, heightening India’s need for a stealth platform to uphold regional air dominance.

Defence officials and analysts emphasize that India’s pressing need to deploy a fifth-generation combat aircraft stems from a changing dual-front threat landscape, necessitating a response platform equipped with low observability, advanced sensor fusion, and deep strike capabilities.

High-level sources referenced by Indian defence media indicate that the F-35A proposal from Washington will not be a standard model but a specially tailored configuration with systems designed specifically for India.

Following the example set by Israel’s F-35I “Adir”, the Indian F-35A variant is expected to feature the integration of Software Defined Radio (SDR) and an advanced Identification Friennd or Foe (IFF) suite—facilitating enhanced compatibility with India’s indigenous C4ISR networks.

Israel’s F-35I “Adir” remains the most operationally independent version of the platform, having gained unprecedented access to the F-35’s core systems and software architecture.

In contrast to many international operators constrained by U.S. software and weaponry restrictions, Israel has effectively integrated domestically produced electronic warfare systems, sensor packages, and air-to-ground munitions such as the Python-5 and Spice bombs directly into the F-35’s internal weapons bay. This level of customization has allowed Israel to conduct real-world combat missions utilizing the F-35I against high-value targets in Syria and beyond, granting the Israeli Air Force a formidable strategic first-strike capability.

India is now advocating for similar flexibility in customizing its F-35A fleet, perceiving sovereign configuration control as crucial for incorporating the aircraft into its intricate tri-service framework, which encompasses indigenous early warning systems and tactical data links. At the same time, sources from the Chinese defense industry indicate that Beijing has expedited the delivery schedule of the J-35A stealth fighter to Pakistan, now targeting the operational readiness of the first squadron by the first quarter of 2026.

Insiders within the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) report that China has pledged to advance the timeline by at least six months to ensure that Islamabad receives the initial batch of J-35A aircraft ahead of the planned schedule. Developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), the J-35A is being marketed as a naval-capable, carrier-variant stealth platform with significant export aspirations, competing with Western fifth-generation offerings in regional markets.

Initial reports suggest that Pakistan is poised to acquire up to 40 J-35A units within a 24-month induction period, significantly boosting its frontline capabilities and potentially shifting the aerial equilibrium along the Line of Control (LoC).

During a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated Washington’s commitment to enhancing military collaboration with India, announcing that expanded arms sales would commence in earnest starting in 2025. “We’ll be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We’re also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters,” Trump stated in a press briefing, indicating a significant policy change.

Lockheed Martin, the primary contractor for the F-35, has made it clear that any sale to India will occur through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channel, with the Pentagon acting as the official intermediary between Lockheed and the Indian Ministry of Defence. This government-to-government approach guarantees strategic oversight and compliance with end-use requirements, while also allowing for sensitive configuration requests and sustainment packages customized to meet partner-specific needs.

Since 2008, India has entered into defense procurement agreements with the United States totaling over US$20 billion, reinforcing Washington’s role as one of New Delhi’s leading arms suppliers.

A significant instance was the long-anticipated finalization of a US$3 billion deal in 2023 for 31 MQ-9B SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian unmanned aerial systems, which followed lengthy negotiations lasting six years.

Recently, U.S. Vice President JD Vance reaffirmed Washington’s strong encouragement for India to participate in the F-35 program, mentioning during a high-level visit that the stealth fighter would greatly enhance the Indian Air Force’s capability to secure its airspace in a multi-domain battlespace.

For many years, India’s air combat capabilities have relied on Russian platforms, such as Su-30MKIs, MiG-29UPGs, and various versions of MiG-21s and Jaguars, with Moscow serving as its primary defense partner.

However, Russia’s industrial capacity has been considerably diminished due to its conflict in Ukraine, leading to significant delays in the export pipeline and prompting India to seek a broader range of procurement sources.

In response, Russia has suggested a local co-production and technology-sharing agreement for the Su-57E fifth-generation fighter, providing India with the chance to manufacture the aircraft domestically using its existing Su-30MKI production lines.

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov characterized the proposal as “highly rewarding,” highlighting not only the aircraft’s capabilities but also the potential for local assembly, configuration flexibility, and ecosystem development.

“We present our own fifth-generation fighter. We possess the best aircraft—the Su-57E. We recently showcased it at Aero India in Bangalore, and it garnered significant interest,” he stated. “This platform is extremely competitive. We’re not merely offering to sell it—we’re suggesting co-development, technology transfer, and industrial support infrastructure customized to meet India’s needs.

Rosoboronexport, the state arms export agency of Russia, has confirmed that India can begin licensed production right away by converting existing assembly facilities that were previously utilized for the Su-30MKI, with over 220 units manufactured domestically by HAL. As the geopolitical competition between U.S.-aligned Indo-Pacific democracies and China-supported alliances escalates, India’s decision regarding fighter jets is swiftly evolving into more than a mere military procurement—it is becoming a representation of strategic alignment in a world order that is increasingly bipolar.

The F-35 program includes three variants: the F-35A (CTOL) designed for conventional airbases, the F-35B (STOVL) intended for short-runway or amphibious operations, and the F-35C (carrier-based) meant for naval deployments. The F-35A provides the most cost-effective and agile option, while the F-35B is tailored for expeditionary forces, and the F-35C features the longest range along with structural reinforcements for carrier operations.

Ultimately, India’s selection will not only indicate its preferred capability set but also its long-term strategic partnerships—between an Eastern ally aiming to rebuild and a Western ally ready to redefine the future of air superiority.