New Delhi: India has decisively distanced itself from any immediate plans to acquire the U.S.-made F 35 fighter jets, amid escalating trade tensions with Washington following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian goods. The decision signals not only India’s dissatisfaction with Washington’s economic moves but also a deeper strategic rethink in the country’s defense acquisition priorities.
President Trump’s recent remarks hinting at a potential F 35 deal with India were met with clear resistance from New Delhi. Senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that no formal offer is on the table and no procurement process is underway. Air Chief Marshal Vivek Chaudhary also reiterated that the Indian Air Force has not initiated any technical evaluation of the fifth-generation American aircraft, and there is currently no plan to integrate the F 35 into India’s defense fleet.
The rejection appears to be driven not just by policy autonomy, but also by operational skepticism. Defence analysts within India have long questioned the suitability of the F 35 platform for Indian conditions, citing its high maintenance demands, low mission-capable rate, and compatibility issues with India’s existing military infrastructure. A senior official in the Defence Acquisition Council noted that the F 35’s combat readiness is significantly lower than India’s own Su-30MKI or France’s Rafale jets, making it a risky investment amid current fiscal and strategic pressures.
Trump’s 25% tariff on Indian exports effective from today has clearly cast a long shadow on Indo-U.S. relations. While India had been gradually deepening its defense and strategic ties with the U.S., this economic blow appears to have triggered a cautious withdrawal. Indian negotiators, previously engaged in talks for a broad trade agreement, have paused discussions and are reportedly reevaluating bilateral cooperation on key fronts, including defense.
The tariff decision, framed by Trump as a protectionist move aimed at correcting trade imbalances, has provoked criticism from Indian policymakers and industry stakeholders. Some view it as a breach of trust in what was once being touted as a strategic partnership. The retaliatory silence on the F 35 front is therefore being interpreted as both a diplomatic signal and a financial safeguard.
India’s opposition parties have taken a firm stand against the prospect of F 35 purchases. Congress Party spokespersons called the fighter jet an "expensive liability," urging the Modi government to resist external pressure and instead support indigenous platforms like the Tejas Mk2 and the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) being developed by HAL.
Defence experts have also highlighted the strategic risks of becoming overly reliant on a single country’s weapon systems. Several reports over the years have underscored the F 35’s technical glitches, high operational costs, and political baggage—especially in cases where Washington has used access to spares and upgrades as diplomatic leverage.
India’s rejection of the F 35 deal could turn into a pivotal moment for its defense industrial policy. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, the country has been pushing for increased domestic production of military hardware. The Defence Ministry is now expected to ramp up investments in indigenous aircraft development, drone warfare, and missile defense systems.
Lockheed Martin, the U.S. defense giant manufacturing the F 35, has expressed interest in working with Indian companies in joint production ventures. However, Indian officials maintain that any collaboration will be tightly linked to technology transfer and domestic capacity building.
This episode underscores a broader truth in India’s foreign and defense policy: symbolism must give way to sovereignty. While high-profile arms deals may generate headlines, India appears intent on crafting a more balanced, multipolar strategy free from undue external influence.
With the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy test series underway and the political heat intensifying, India’s refusal of the F 35 is a timely assertion of independence, signaling that strategic decisions will not be dictated by tariff threats or trade pressures.