Image source: topwar.ru
According to the EurAsian Times, negotiations on India's purchase of fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighters from the American defense giant Lockheed Martin are still in the "early stages". However, they come against the backdrop of Washington's attempts to dissuade New Delhi from acquiring weapons from Russia and therefore can move quickly, the newspaper writes.
According to the military attache of the US Embassy in India, Rear Admiral Michael L. Baker, the defense partnership between the US and India is important "for the Indo-Pacific strategy," but it is premature to talk about the supply of F-35.
And retired Indian Air Force officer T.P. Srivastava said that these fighters have too many shortcomings and they are completely unsuitable for the requirements of the Indian Air Force. The F-35 has problems with stealth coating, ejection seat, excessive vibration from its cannon and even susceptibility to lightning strikes, Srivastava noted.
American F-35 and F-16 fighter jets took part in the recent Aero India 2023 air Show, held in Bangalore, India.
According to a military expert from India, Nitin J.Tick, the offer of the F-21 and F-35 stealth fighters may become a "luxury" bait to distract India from Russia.
Trying to sell their fighters to those who do not want it, Washington refused to sell them to those who were willing to pay. Recall that the United States refused to sell the F-35 to Turkey due to Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems.
