Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force

dragracer567 · 11th February 2025, 01:32

Let's not forget about the AMCA 1:1 mock-up. Expected to enter service by 2036 if all goes well - a tall order. Wouldn't beat HAL up too much for this when the Russians are already marketing the Su-75 which is in the same state of development.

Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force-whatsapp-image-20250210-10.57.20-pm.jpeg

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TWZ has covered the face-off between the F35 and Su-57 but eventually, they seem to conclude that India might not show interest in either which seems to be the consensus everywhere.

dragracer567 · 14th February 2025, 11:32

Trump to eventually ‘provide F35s’ to India

This has been the buzz since Trump came into power but, as part of a long list of defense acquisitions that India is working on including the Strykers (which India doesn’t need) and more P8is (which India does need). Trump has stated that as part of these military sales, he wants to eventually provide India with F35s. To clarify, as per Indian officials, the purchase process hasn’t started yet and ‘is still a proposal’ but Lockheed says they are encouraged by the announcement. I might not even be surprised if Indian officials were caught off guard by this proposal. As per the official statement, the US will remove roadblocks for the transfer of fifth generation fighters and undersea systems used onboard American nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) - possibly for India’s own upcoming SSN.

In hindsight, the cost of the F35s would be probably lower than the tariffs our industry would’ve to pay if we don’t but the bigger danger is whether what happens when the administration changes as witnessed with the UAE. However, there was actually a statement during one of PM Modi’s visits to the US during the Biden administration on fifth generation fighters, so this might not be so new.

One possibility in my mind is to get the Navy to buy the F35 since the Navy has recently stated that they need fifth generation fighters which brings into question the need for the TEDBF. This will also ensure sufficient AMCAs are procured and not undercut by the F35 order, which is again unless the F35s are purchased in lieu of the MRFA for the Air Force.

Images below of India’s CDS being given a preview of the F35.

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dragracer567 · 17th February 2025, 13:56

Some more details on the potential F35 deal from the Economic Times:

1) This is likely to the stop-gap arrangement with aircraft purchased for 2 squadrons - similar to the earlier Rafale deal.

2) There might be a stringent end-user monitoring protocol ostensibly to ensure that personnel from other nationalities such as Russia don't have access to the aircraft. This might be the sticking point that can break this deal and I actually do think that if this deal is ever called off, this would be the reason.

3) Unknown how the S400 factor comes into play.

11th February 2025, 01:32	#2071
dragracer567 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: BAH / MCT Posts: 1,101 Thanked: 6,156 Times	Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force Let's not forget about the AMCA 1:1 mock-up. Expected to enter service by 2036 if all goes well - a tall order. Wouldn't beat HAL up too much for this when the Russians are already marketing the Su-75 which is in the same state of development. TWZ has covered the face-off between the F35 and Su-57 but eventually, they seem to conclude that India might not show interest in either which seems to be the consensus everywhere.
	(3) Thanks

14th February 2025, 11:32	#2072
dragracer567 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: BAH / MCT Posts: 1,101 Thanked: 6,156 Times	Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force Trump to eventually ‘provide F35s’ to India This has been the buzz since Trump came into power but, as part of a long list of defense acquisitions that India is working on including the Strykers (which India doesn’t need) and more P8is (which India does need). Trump has stated that as part of these military sales, he wants to eventually provide India with F35s. To clarify, as per Indian officials, the purchase process hasn’t started yet and ‘is still a proposal’ but Lockheed says they are encouraged by the announcement. I might not even be surprised if Indian officials were caught off guard by this proposal. As per the official statement, the US will remove roadblocks for the transfer of fifth generation fighters and undersea systems used onboard American nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) - possibly for India’s own upcoming SSN. In hindsight, the cost of the F35s would be probably lower than the tariffs our industry would’ve to pay if we don’t but the bigger danger is whether what happens when the administration changes as witnessed with the UAE. However, there was actually a statement during one of PM Modi’s visits to the US during the Biden administration on fifth generation fighters, so this might not be so new. One possibility in my mind is to get the Navy to buy the F35 since the Navy has recently stated that they need fifth generation fighters which brings into question the need for the TEDBF. This will also ensure sufficient AMCAs are procured and not undercut by the F35 order, which is again unless the F35s are purchased in lieu of the MRFA for the Air Force. Images below of India’s CDS being given a preview of the F35. Last edited by dragracer567 : 14th February 2025 at 11:55.
	(5) Thanks

17th February 2025, 13:56	#2073
dragracer567 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: BAH / MCT Posts: 1,101 Thanked: 6,156 Times	Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force Some more details on the potential F35 deal from the Economic Times: 1) This is likely to the stop-gap arrangement with aircraft purchased for 2 squadrons - similar to the earlier Rafale deal. 2) There might be a stringent end-user monitoring protocol ostensibly to ensure that personnel from other nationalities such as Russia don't have access to the aircraft. This might be the sticking point that can break this deal and I actually do think that if this deal is ever called off, this would be the reason. 3) Unknown how the S400 factor comes into play.
	() Thanks