Su-57 in the doldrums, F-35 out of the race India Could Halt Offers for Russian and American Jets, Says Former IAF Air Marshal

 It appears that India's goal to improve its air strength with a fifth-generation fighter has encountered yet another obstacle. Although it will take nearly ten years to develop its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), New Delhi has allegedly stated that it is not interested in the US F-35 Lightning II.

According to Bloomberg, months after US President Donald Trump offered India the F-35A Lightning II in February 2025, India has informed the US that it is not interested in buying the aircraft.


Following the failure of the two nations to negotiate a mini trade agreement because of India's hesitancy to open up its market, Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports, according to the report.

Trump criticized India for having the highest tariffs and non-tariff barriers in the world. He also denounced India's close relations to Russia, its longtime friend and strategic ally.

"At a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine— All things not good!" he said on Truth Social, adding that they have always purchased the great bulk of their military hardware from Russia and are Russia's biggest energy customer, second only to China.

In reference to US efforts to develop oil reserves in Pakistan, the US president, who until recently referred to India as a friend, went so far as to declare India a "dead economy" and made a sarcastic remark, suggesting that perhaps Pakistan may sell oil to India in the future.

India's stance contrasts with those of South Korea and Japan. South Korean authorities recently confirmed that military and arms purchases were on the negotiation agenda, despite reports that Japan was using the possible purchase of fighter planes and cruise missiles as bargaining chips in talks over US tariffs. It goes without saying that both nations have succeeded in obtaining a favorable tariff rate of 15%.

Trump previously told reporters, "We will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars starting this year," as part of his verbal push for the shipment of F-35s to India. Additionally, we are clearing the path for India to eventually receive F-35 stealth aircraft. The sentiment was reiterated by US Vice President J.D. Vance during a visit to India in April, where he said: “We want your nation to buy more of our military equipment, which, of course, we believe is the best in class. For instance, the Indian Air Force will be able to safeguard your people and defend your airspace thanks to the American fifth-generation F-35.

Does India Not Have a Fifth-Generation Fighter?

India is in a difficult situation right now. The nation is working on the fifth-generation stealth Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). But according to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the first AMCA will be delivered in 2035, which is ten years from today. India would effectively have a stark capacity gap with respect to its enemies, China and Pakistan, if it waited for the AMCA.

The J-20 and the recently released J-35A are China's two fifth-generation stealth fighters. Furthermore, it is now testing two distinct sixth-generation fighter prototypes, referred to as the J-36 and J-50 informally.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is expected to start flying and mass-producing sixth-generation fighter jets by the time India deploys its first AMCA.


India may have ignored this growing capacity gap with Beijing because a full-scale conflict with China is thought to be unlikely given that both countries are actively attempting to repair their bilateral ties.

However, that changed when Pakistan announced it was acquiring the J-35A 5th-gen fighter from China. According to initial information, which was later retracted by Islamabad, Pakistan was planning to acquire 40 J-35A stealth fighter jets and induct them into the PAF by 2026-27.

The need for a temporary fix to close the capacity gap with China and Pakistan has long been a topic of discussion among Indian strategists. A foreign fifth-generation aircraft would assist ramp up capability in the short term and accelerate the AMCA program in the long term, according to a number of specialists.

The Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II are India's sole alternatives. Furthermore, the Russian fifth-generation aircraft is the only alternative left after India reportedly rejected the F-35 offer (which has not yet been formally confirmed).


The Indian Air Force (IAF) was presented with a "golden deal" by Rosoboronexport, Russia's official arms dealer. "The all-round development of cooperation on the Su-57E project," suggested Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev.

Additionally, Rosoboronexport signalled it will leverage the existing Su-30MKI infrastructure for the local production of Su-57E in India. It said that if India finalizes the deal, the Indian companies that manufacture Russian Su-30MKI fighter jets can soon begin producing the fifth-generation Su-57E fighter. This makes the deal more palatable for New Delhi.

However, amid Donald Trump’s severe criticism of India’s arms purchases from Russia, a decision to acquire or locally produce the Su-57 can backfire and further upset ties with Washington.

Moreover, since India has reportedly refused to buy American F-35, the acquisition of the Russian Su-57 could further strain US-India relations.

How Can India Help?

Trump's 25% tax is merely a signal, according to IAF Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), a well-known military analyst. However, given the United States is favoring Pakistan, India should refrain from purchasing American equipment for some time. This has happened before, and the United States is not a trustworthy ally. Who can predict their future course or the limitations they might impose? Additionally, they have delayed the GE-404 engines by around 18 months, which has halted our Tejas production. The Indian stance is ideal.


“As far as the F-35 is concerned, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has already said in public that a formal offer was not made. There was no Request for Information (RFI), no negotiations. It was not a real offer to begin with. We have been in a bind for a long time because even the Su-57 is not good enough. We were part of the FGFA program, we invested money, and we walked out. It was for a reason. The Su-57 is probably not even stealthy enough,” the veteran added with concern.

When asked about the way forward, Air Marshal Chopra said, “India’s acquisition of a foreign fifth-generation aircraft should be paused for now, and the Indian MoD must make sure that the AMCA is a success. They should bring in private players, acquire technology from the West or elsewhere, build relations with other states that have also suffered due to high tariffs, and somehow just accelerate the AMCA program. Until then, 4.5th-generation fighters should hold fort.”

That said, the IAF seems to be feeling the heat, especially as it has just emerged from a conflict with Pakistan and is staring at an all-time low squadron strength (29 as opposed to the sanctioned 42). It recently made a detailed presentation to the government outlining its future requirements for maintaining an edge over adversaries.

Moreover, an empowered committee led by Defence Secretary RK Singh recommended the induction of fifth-generation fighter jets to enhance the force’s deterrence and preparedness, especially along the northern and western borders.