Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has said the United States has made no official offer to sell F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets to India, clarifying the distinction between speculation and a formal proposal while sharing the stage with a top American commander at the closing of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-2026 in Jodhpur on Saturday.
The remark that drew laughter
Asked whether Washington had formally offered the stealth jet, the Indian Air Force chief quipped: "Your people don't even let us go near the aircraft, and you are talking about selling it to us." He was sharing the dais with General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces.
Singh later said the remark was a joke and should not be taken seriously. This was how countries protect sensitive military technologies, he said, adding that there were things even India did not share with the United States.
On the access India was given during the exercise, Singh said the US did not show the F-35 cockpit to Indian personnel, but allowed them to fly in close formation with the jets. Six US F-35 Lightning II fighters participated in Tarang Shakti-2026 — the aircraft's first-ever appearance in the exercise.
No decision yet on the Russian option
General Schneider said decisions on sharing F-35 information were not his to make, noting that programme-level security classification guides determine what can be shared and when.
Singh also confirmed that Russia has offered its Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, but said no decision had been taken. "Yes, the Russians have offered. But there has been no decision yet," he told reporters.
India is looking at an interim fifth-generation option while its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) remains years away from induction — a search sharpened by the expansion of stealth fleets in the region.
Sources:
- US Commander By His Side, Air Force Chief Says "They Don't Let Us Near" F-35 Jets — NDTV
- 'You don't even let us go near F-35s': IAF chief takes swipe at US over fighter jet 'sale' — The Federal
The remark that drew laughter
Asked whether Washington had formally offered the stealth jet, the Indian Air Force chief quipped: "Your people don't even let us go near the aircraft, and you are talking about selling it to us." He was sharing the dais with General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces.
Singh later said the remark was a joke and should not be taken seriously. This was how countries protect sensitive military technologies, he said, adding that there were things even India did not share with the United States.
On the access India was given during the exercise, Singh said the US did not show the F-35 cockpit to Indian personnel, but allowed them to fly in close formation with the jets. Six US F-35 Lightning II fighters participated in Tarang Shakti-2026 — the aircraft's first-ever appearance in the exercise.
No decision yet on the Russian option
General Schneider said decisions on sharing F-35 information were not his to make, noting that programme-level security classification guides determine what can be shared and when.
Singh also confirmed that Russia has offered its Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, but said no decision had been taken. "Yes, the Russians have offered. But there has been no decision yet," he told reporters.
India is looking at an interim fifth-generation option while its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) remains years away from induction — a search sharpened by the expansion of stealth fleets in the region.
Sources:
- US Commander By His Side, Air Force Chief Says "They Don't Let Us Near" F-35 Jets — NDTV
- 'You don't even let us go near F-35s': IAF chief takes swipe at US over fighter jet 'sale' — The Federal
