US-India Defense Cooperation
What is India's position on Donald Trump's F35 fighter jets proposal?
India's Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has clarified that while US President Donald Trump offered to sell F35 fighter jets to India during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi in Washington, no formal offer has been made yet. Singh indicated that India remains open-minded and will examine the proposal once it is formally presented. The Defense Secretary's statement effectively clears the air around Trump's proposal, suggesting that India is neither rejecting nor immediately accepting the offer, but will follow appropriate procurement processes when an official proposal is received.
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WION
00:00 - 00:31
How do the F35 and SU57 fighter jets compare in terms of specifications and advantages?
The F35 features a top speed of Mach 1.6, 1500km combat range, and costs $80-110 million per unit, with advanced avionics and an established global supply chain providing distinct advantages. In contrast, Russia's SU57 offers superior performance with Mach 2 speed and 1900km range at a significantly lower price point of $35-40 million dollars. This comparison comes as India considers its defense options while simultaneously developing its indigenous AMCA stealth fighter project, which aims to deliver seven squadrons by 2035. This advancement would place India among an elite group of nations with stealth aircraft capabilities.
Watch clip answer (00:54m)WION
01:21 - 02:15
What is the current status of Donald Trump's F35 fighter jets proposal to India?
India's Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh clarified that no formal offer has yet been made regarding Donald Trump's F35 fighter jets proposal. According to Singh, Trump discussed selling these state-of-the-art fighter jets during a meeting with Prime Minister Modi in Washington, D.C., but the offer remains informal at this stage. Singh emphasized that India will examine the proposal with an open mind once it becomes a firm offer. He also noted that all defense procurements in India follow a specific process, indicating that any potential F35 acquisition would need to go through established procurement channels before a decision could be made.
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WION
00:00 - 00:56
What fighter jet options is India currently considering from the US and Russia?
India is currently evaluating two major fighter jet options from competing global powers. The United States is offering its advanced F35 fighter jet, while Russia is countering with its SU57 Felon aircraft. As indicated by Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, these proposals represent significant choices for India's military modernization strategy. This competition places New Delhi in a strategic position between two major defense suppliers, each offering different capabilities and advantages in terms of avionics, combat effectiveness, speed, and cost considerations. The decision will likely have important implications for India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) stealth fighter project and its broader position in the global defense landscape.
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00:57 - 01:08
What is India's AMCA stealth fighter project and what are its goals?
India's indigenous AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) stealth fighter project aims to deliver seven squadrons by 2035. This ambitious initiative represents a significant advancement in India's military aviation capabilities, positioning the country to join an elite group of stealth aircraft manufacturers globally. The successful implementation of this project would place India alongside major military powers like the US, Russia, and China in advanced fighter jet development. The timing of this project is noteworthy as India also considers international options like the F35 and SU57 fighters.
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WION
01:58 - 02:15
What is India's response to President Trump's proposal to sell F35 fighter jets to India?
According to Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, India has not yet received any formal offer from the US regarding F35 fighter jets, despite President Trump's proposal during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi in Washington DC. Singh clarified that once a formal offer is made, India will evaluate it with an open mind. The Defense Secretary's statement indicates India's pragmatic approach to defense acquisitions, neither rejecting nor accepting the proposal prematurely. This stance allows India to carefully assess the strategic and technical merits of the F35 jets when an official proposal arrives.
Watch clip answer (00:29m)WION
00:00 - 00:29