Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday made it clear that the United States has extended no official offer to sell its F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter to India. Speaking at a press conference marking the conclusion of the multinational Exercise Tarang Shakti-2026, Singh delivered the clarification while seated beside General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces.
Keywords: F-35 India, IAF Chief AP Singh, Tarang Shakti 2026, Su-57 offer, fifth-generation fighter, PACAF Commander, AMCA programme
Responding to a journalist’s question on reports of a possible F-35 acquisition, the Air Chief remarked with characteristic directness, “Your people don’t even let us go near the aircraft, and you are talking about selling it to us.” The comment drew attention to the restricted access Indian personnel had to the six US Air Force F-35A Lightning II jets that participated in the exercise, the first time the platform has taken part in a military drill on Indian soil. While the US aircraft operated from a secure section of the Jodhpur airbase and flew in close formation with Indian and partner jets, Indian aircrew were not granted cockpit access.
Singh’s remarks effectively put to rest speculation that Washington had formally proposed the F-35 and that New Delhi had declined it. He emphasised that no such official offer had reached the Indian side.
On the Russian Su-57, the IAF Chief confirmed that Moscow has made an offer. However, he stated that the government has yet to decide whether the Indian Air Force should formally evaluate the aircraft. “Once the decision is conveyed to us by the government, we will evaluate how well it meets our requirements,” Singh said.
The timing of these comments is significant. Tarang Shakti-2026 brought together air forces from multiple nations, including the US, France, Germany and Australia, underscoring India’s growing role in regional air power cooperation. At the same time, the IAF continues to assess its future combat aircraft needs amid the development of the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
Singh’s statements reinforce India’s preference for strategic autonomy in critical defence acquisitions. While engagement with both American and Russian platforms remains open, any decision will be guided by operational requirements, technology access and long-term self-reliance goals rather than external proposals alone.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
