It is an important decision for India to decide which direction to take to modernize its Air Force, but is a modern American fighter jet the right solution to this problem? Last month, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington, he met US President Donald Trump. During this meeting, Trump announced that the US is ready to give India the F-35 fighter jet. The US gives this jet only to its close ones and allies. The F-35 is a “fifth generation” multi-role fighter jet. It is equipped with modern technologies like advanced sensors, combat systems made of artificial intelligence and data sharing. This jet is capable of dodging radars and is considered the most modern fighter aircraft in the world. But its price is also around $ 80 million (about Rs 670 crore) per unit, which makes it one of the most expensive jets. The biggest feature of the fifth-generation fighter jet is its stealth, i.e. its ability to remain invisible. The number of fighter jets in the Indian Air Force is constantly decreasing and China’s military power is increasing. In such a situation, a question before India is whether to buy the modern but very expensive F-35 from America or strengthen defense cooperation with Russia and produce its most modern stealth fighter jet, Sukhoi SU-57, here. Experts believe that this matter is not so simple. An important glimpse of the rivalry between America and Russia was seen in Asia’s largest air show, Aero India, held in Bengaluru last month. Jet planes of both the countries participated in it. Trump’s offer of F-35 seems symbolic so that America can increase its arms sales. Ashley J Tellis, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, says that this deal can prove to be very difficult for India.
Which fighter plane will India choose between Sukhoi and F-35?
