Full Breakdown
Indian Air Force's (IAF) Chief Says No Formal U.S. F-35 Offer Amid First-Ever F-35 Participation in Tarang Shakti-2026
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Core Event
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh told reporters at the concluding ceremony of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-2026 in Jodhpur that the United States has made no official offer to sell its F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter to India. Singh made the remark while seated beside General Kevin Schneider, commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), noting that Indian personnel were not permitted to approach the aircraft during the drills.
Background & Context
Tarang Shakti is a two-week, multilateral combat-readiness exercise hosted by the IAF. The 2026 edition marked the first appearance of U.S. F-35A jets on Indian soil, with six aircraft and more than 200 U.S. personnel taking part. The exercise involved air forces from approximately 40 nations, including the United States, France, Germany, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Earlier references to a possible F-35 sale date back to February 2025, when then-U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would “pave the way” for an Indian purchase.
Data & Statistics
- Six U.S. Air Force F-35A jets participated.
- 200+ U.S. personnel were deployed.
- 40 countries contributed aircraft or personnel.
- The exercise ran for two weeks, concluding on October 12.
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh is slated to retire on October 31.
Official Statements & Responses
Singh reiterated that no formal U.S. proposal has been received and that Indian officials were barred from entering the F-35 cockpit or approaching the aircraft on the ground. He added that the Indian government has not yet decided whether to evaluate Russia’s Su-57 fighter, which has been offered as a potential stop-gap fifth-generation option while India advances its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
General Schneider said access to the F-35 is governed by programme-level security classification guides, which dictate what information and hardware can be shared with partner nations, and that such decisions are not within his authority.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the AMCA as a strategic step toward mastering fifth-generation stealth technology, underscoring India’s broader goal of defence self-reliance.
Why It Matters / Impact
The absence of a formal U.S. offer, coupled with restricted access to the F-35 during a high-visibility exercise, signals ongoing caution in U.S. technology transfer to India. For the IAF, the episode underscores the gap between operational exposure to advanced platforms and the ability to procure them.
India’s pursuit of a fifth-generation capability now hinges on three parallel tracks:
1. Evaluation of the Russian Su-57 (pending decision).
2. Development of the indigenous AMCA, projected to enter service in the 2030s.
3. Continued engagement with the United States through joint exercises, which may shape future negotiations but remain constrained by security protocols.
What’s Next
- The Indian government is expected to decide whether to initiate a formal evaluation of the Su-57 after internal assessments.
- The AMCA programme will continue its development milestones, with the defence minister emphasizing its importance for self-reliance.
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s retirement on October 31 will usher in new IAF leadership, potentially influencing future procurement strategies.