14 Feb 2025
Australia, the UK, Norway, Italy, Israel, South Korea, and Japan already operate this stealth fighter jet.
During PM Modi’s visit to the US, Trump offered to sell the F35 Lightning II fighter jets to India. If the deal goes through, India will become the first non-Pacific and non-NATO US ally to own these jets. Trump asked Modi to buy more oil and gas from the US and reduce tariffs on American cars.
India currently operates Rafale, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter customised for Indian needs. Rafale is priced at $110-120 million, while the F35s cost between $80-115 million depending upon the model F35A, B, or C.
Rafale offers agility, flexibility, and a strong payload and performs exceedingly well in close-combat scenarios. Among the most advanced and costliest globally, F35s offer unmatched stealth, sensor and long-range capabilities and advanced radar and electronic warfare systems. But it comes at an expensive operating and maintenance cost of $36,000 per flight hour.
Russia remains a significant fighter jet supplier for India.
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