Janice R. Andrews
In a landmark move, US President Donald Trump announced plans to significantly increase military sales to India and pave the way for providing advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets. Speaking at a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump emphasized the strengthening of bilateral defense ties, stating, “We will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars and are paving the way to provide India with F-35 stealth fighters.”
The F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin, is renowned for its advanced stealth capabilities, situational awareness, and networked combat systems. The jet recently made its debut at Aero India 2023, Asia’s premier aerospace and defense exhibition held in Bengaluru, showcasing its cutting-edge technology.
This announcement underscores the deepening India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, with a focus on defense collaboration, strategic technologies, and counterterrorism. US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz also met with PM Modi to discuss enhancing cooperation in defense industrial projects, civil nuclear energy, and small modular reactors.
In parallel, India is advancing its indigenous defense capabilities. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled a full-scale model of its 5.5 Gen Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) at Aero India, marking a significant step in India’s quest for self-reliance in stealth fighter technology. The AMCA project, approved in March 2022, aims to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet with an estimated budget of Rs 15,000 crore.
This collaboration highlights the growing strategic alignment between India and the US, fostering innovation and strengthening defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The move is expected to bolster India’s air superiority while reinforcing the US-India partnership as a cornerstone of global security.
