Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh clarified on Saturday, October 10, that the United States has made no official offer to supply F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets to India.
Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the concluding ceremony of the second edition of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, the IAF chief offered a lighthearted take on high-end defense technology sharing.
Humor Over High-End Hardware
While responding to a question regarding speculation around the advanced stealth aircraft—which is participating in Tarang Shakti for the first time—Air Chief Marshal Singh remarked to the commander of the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) present at the event:
”Your people don’t even let us go near the aircraft, and you are talking about selling it to us.”
The playful exchange highlighted ongoing discussions surrounding India’s future combat aircraft requirements, balancing global acquisitions with the nation’s push toward indigenous defense manufacturing.
Evaluating Future Platforms and Domestic Capabilities
Commenting on other prospective acquisitions, the IAF chief addressed queries regarding Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter aircraft. He noted that while the IAF is aware of a proposal from Moscow, no formal decision has been made regarding its evaluation.
”Once the decision is conveyed to us by the government, we will evaluate how well it meets our requirements,” Singh stated, emphasizing that any assessment will tie directly into long-term self-reliance goals and the ongoing development of India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter program (AMCA).
Tarang Shakti 2026 Wraps Up in Jodhpur
The remarks came as the IAF concluded the operational phase of Tarang Shakti 2026, which ran from September 26 to October 12 under the theme “Power in Partnership”.
The multilateral drill saw participation from seven foreign nations—including the US, France, Germany, Australia, the UAE, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka—providing participating air arms a crucial platform to test interoperability, tactical coordination, and advanced electronic warfare tactics.
