Why India Ignores The F-35 | Ctrl Alt Defence Ep 61
India has been discussing the F-35 for nearly two decades. With six American stealth fighters recently participating in Tarang Shakti exercise in India and the US ambassador signalling the importance of the relationship, is the F-35 a serious option for the Indian Air Force, or is the deal still a non-starter?
On Episode 61 of #CtrlAltDefence, Shiv Aroor and Vishnu Som examine the long history of American fighter jet offers to India, why successive proposals have failed to translate into acquisitions, and the strategic and operational hurdles that continue to stand in the way of the F-35.
Episode 61
Watch now: https://youtu.be/bOmKBGsb96Y
Why six F-35s in India send a message, and what their participation in Tarang Shakti means
The 20-year history of F-35 engagement with India, from early briefings to renewed US interest
Why the F-35 remains a difficult proposition for India, despite repeated American overtures
The S-400 question: why India's Russian air defence system complicates a potential F-35 deal
Why the F-16, F/A-18 and other American fighter aircraft have failed to secure major Indian orders
Can the F-35 integrate with India's existing fighters, AWACS platforms and air command-and-control networks?
Where does Russia's Su-57 fit into India's search for a fifth-generation fighter?
From the F-35's long history with India to the future of stealth warfare, this episode examines why a fighter that has repeatedly featured in discussions with Washington remains far from an Indian acquisition. What would it take for the F-35 to become a viable option, and should India even want it?
Watch now.
