Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, has dismissed reports of an official offer from the United States to supply F-35 fighter aircraft to India. Speaking on the sidelines of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-2026 in Jodhpur, the Air Chief Marshal noted that despite ongoing discussions regarding future combat capabilities, no formal proposal has been submitted by Washington.
Addressing the challenges in high-level defense cooperation, the IAF Chief highlighted the restricted access currently imposed on the American platform. He recounted a conversation with the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) commander, stating, "I was just telling the PACAF commander that your people don’t even let us go near the aircraft, and you talk about selling it to us." These comments underscore the gap between interest and accessibility regarding fifth-generation fighter technology.
Regarding the Russian Su-57 stealth fighter, Air Chief Marshal Singh confirmed that the Indian government is aware of an offer from Moscow. However, he emphasized that no formal decision has been reached on whether to proceed with an evaluation of the aircraft. "As far as the Su-57 is concerned, we have received news that they have offered it, but no decision has been made yet on whether we want to evaluate it or not," he remarked.
The Air Force chief clarified that any future assessment of the Russian platform would be strictly based on India’s specific operational requirements. Currently, the military relies on information regarding the Su-57’s capabilities through open-source data. As the nation continues to explore options to bolster its air combat strength, the leadership maintains a cautious approach, awaiting a formal government decision before moving forward with any potential testing or acquisition process for fifth-generation combat aircraft.
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