India has conveyed to the United States its decision not to pursue the acquisition of F-35 stealth fighter jets, a move occurring amidst efforts to enhance imports of certain non-defence goods in a bid to alleviate ongoing trade tensions. This announcement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent imposition of a 25 percent tariff on imports from India.
Sources cited by Bloomberg indicate that rather than retaliating against the U.S. tariffs, India is focused on fostering a constructive atmosphere for current trade discussions. Part of this strategy includes potential increases in imports of U.S. natural gas, communication devices, and gold. Importantly, the report emphasizes that India does not plan to seek new defence equipment from the United States.
The decision came after Trump extended an offer to sell the advanced F-35 jets during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House earlier this year. However, Indian officials opted to decline the proposal, favoring a path that emphasizes the joint development and domestic manufacturing of defence systems under the Make in India initiative.
India’s decision against the F-35 purchase is a clear indication of its strategic priorities, especially in light of U.S. expectations for enhanced defence collaboration. Trump’s administration has expressed concerns regarding India’s defence and energy ties with Russia, warning of potential further penalties. Despite such pressures, the Indian government appears unlikely to make additional arms acquisitions from the U.S. beyond existing contracts, many of which are facing substantial delays.
In the context of bolstering its air force capabilities, India is anticipated to proceed with plans to purchase around 50 to 60 Russian Su-57 fighter jets. This procurement aims to fulfill the Indian Air Force’s requirements for fifth-generation combat aircraft, particularly to counterbalance the advanced aerial capabilities of China and Pakistan in the region.
While India is also advancing its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, it is understood that operational deployment of this indigenous solution will not materialize before 2035. Consequently, India will continue relying on international acquisitions to meet its immediate defence needs.
With the F-35 now off the table and the Su-57 emerging as the primary available option, India’s direction signals a notable shift towards Moscow, underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to enhancing its defence self-reliance while pursuing a diversified set of global partnerships instead of dependency on a single country.
