Reuters quotes two top Indian government sources that, India, one of the world’s best arms buyers, will launch a tender for procuring 114 new fighter jets by 2025.
Reuters’ article explains why US President Trump recently informed Indian Prime Minister Modi that the US is ready to sell F-35s to India despite the country’s S-400 air defence ownership. The program, which has been under discussion for several years, is considered necessary to strengthen the capabilities of the Indian Air Force under pressure from Chinese and Pakistani armaments. India sees China significantly increasing its air capabilities, while Pakistan cooperates with China in the aviation sector. In addition, the Indian Air Force’s planning mentions a fighter aircraft force of 42 Squadrons, while the country currently has 31 Squadrons. According to Reuters, the tender will be open, with a potential cost of more than $ 20 billion, and is expected to attract all the major aerospace industries in the world.
After Trump declared he is optimistic about selling the F-35 Lightning II to India despite the existence of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft systems in the Indian arsenal, the American Lockheed Martin is scheduled to present the aircraft. Lockheed Martin could provide an F-16 variant as a substitute for the F-35, the F-21 it had proposed for India in 2019. Lockheed Martin claims the F-21 was created especially for Indian requirements. Apart from Lockheed Martin, the rivalry is likely to be fought by the likewise American Boeing with the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the French Dassault with the Rafale, Sweden with the JAS-39 Gripen, Russia with the Su-57, and Europe with the Eurofighter.
