By Youssef Yahya 
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Washington, D.C., from February 12–13, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would provide India with Lockheed Martin F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets. The decision marks a significant step in the growing defense and economic partnership between the two nations.
Strengthening Bilateral Trade and Military Cooperation
The move aligns with broader efforts to expand US-India trade relations, with a long-term goal of reaching $500 billion in total bilateral trade by 2030. Trump emphasized the importance of military sales in fostering this partnership. “We’ll be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars,” he stated. “We’re also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters.”
A joint statement from both governments confirmed that the United States is actively reviewing its policy on the sale of fifth-generation fighter jets to India.
India’s Defense Modernization
India has been working to strengthen its domestic defense industry since the early 2000s, an effort that has been reinforced under Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. Key advancements include the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and the commissioning of the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. However, domestic production continues to fall short of operational needs, necessitating defense imports.
As part of its strategic shift, India has gradually reduced its dependence on Russia for military hardware in favor of Western defense manufacturers. This transition is evident in India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its air force and naval aviation capabilities.
Naval and Air Force Procurement Updates
The Indian Navy is nearing the final stages of negotiations for 26 Rafale M naval fighters, which will replace its aging Mikoyan MiG-29K fleet. The contract is expected to be finalized in early 2025.
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has long sought to replace its aging fighter jets. The Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program, launched in 2009, initially aimed to procure 126 new fighter jets. Dassault’s Rafale was selected in 2012, but prolonged negotiations over industrial partnerships led to the deal’s cancellation in 2015.
A new contract was eventually signed on September 23, 2016, between French President François Hollande and Prime Minister Modi for 36 Rafale fighter jets valued at approximately €8 billion. The final aircraft was delivered in December 2022.
The F-35 Enters India’s Fighter Jet Acquisition Race
In 2018, India revived its search for new fighter jets through the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, which aims to procure 114 advanced combat aircraft. The introduction of the F-35 into this competition places it alongside other high-profile contenders, including:
- Boeing F-15EX
- Dassault Rafale
- Eurofighter Typhoon
- Lockheed Martin F-21 (a customized F-16V variant for the IAF)
- Saab Gripen E/F
Russia’s Counteroffer
In an attempt to maintain its presence in India’s defense market, Russia proposed an alternative just a day before Trump’s announcement. On February 11, 2025, Moscow offered to manufacture its fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Sukhoi Su-57, in India using the existing Sukhoi Su-30MKI assembly line operated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Nashik.
However, it remains unclear whether India will seriously consider the Su-57 as a viable alternative under the MRFA program.
- Featured Image by Bernie C
Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’
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