After US President Donald Trump came down hard on India by announcing possible 25 per cent tariffs, an Indian news outlet has reported that the Modi government now seems disinterested in military sales, particularly the 5th gen fighter aircraft Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
According to the report, India may increase purchases of U.S. natural gas, communication equipment, and gold.
The report added that New Delhi is unlikely to expand defence imports from the U.S., including the F-35 stealth fighter jets, which have been a key U.S. offer. Trump has also warned of further penalties on India for continuing to buy weapons and oil from Russia.
Despite that, India has told the U.S. it does not intend to purchase the F-35 fighter. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the White House earlier this year, Trump had offered to sell the advanced fifth-generation aircraft, but Indian officials reportedly said they preferred joint development and manufacturing of defence hardware.
According to experts, India may have to choose its ally soon because if it chooses to buy the Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft Su-57, then the US may strongly recalibrate its expectations from India.
The indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is still under development and expected to be operational around 2035.
To meet current requirements, the Indian Air Force is expected to buy around three squadrons of foreign fifth-generation fighters. At present, the U.S. F-35 and Russian Su-57 are the only such aircraft available for export.
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