No Official F-35 Offer From US, No Decision on Russia’s Su-57: IAF Chief

The United States has made no official offer to sell its F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft to India, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Saturday, while clarifying that no decision had been taken on evaluating Russia’s Su-57 fighter jet.

Singh made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the concluding ceremony of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-2026 in Jodhpur. He was accompanied by the commander of the US Air Force’s Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).

Responding to a question about reports of a possible American offer for the F-35, Singh made a light-hearted remark, saying, “Your people don't even let us go near the aircraft, and you are talking about selling it to us.”

His comments clarified that India had not received any formal proposal from Washington to acquire the advanced stealth fighter.

On the possibility of purchasing Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the IAF chief said New Delhi had taken note of the Russian offer but had not decided whether the aircraft should be evaluated.

“It has come to our notice that they have made an offer, but no decision has been made,” Singh said. He added that once the government communicated its decision, the Indian Air Force would assess how well the aircraft met its operational requirements.

The remarks come as India continues to examine options for strengthening its combat aviation capabilities while pursuing the development of an indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft as part of its long-term defence modernisation and self-reliance plans.

The acquisition of advanced fighter aircraft remains an important consideration as the country seeks to enhance its air combat capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

Tarang Shakti-2026 brought together the Indian Air Force and participating air forces from eight nations, providing a platform for operational cooperation, professional exchanges and the sharing of experiences among the participating forces.

The exercise also offered an opportunity for India to engage with international partners on military aviation and operational coordination.