US has not formally offered F-35 fighter jets to India: IAF chief

Air Chief Marshal Apparao Pratap Singh addressed speculation around potential acquisition of American F-35 Lightning II fighters, emphasising that New Delhi has received no formal offer for the fifth-generation stealth aircraft. The clarification came at a joint press conference held on the sidelines of the Tarang air exercise, a bilateral training engagement between Indian and US air forces.

The remarks underscored India's current strategic focus on indigenous and proven foreign platforms while strengthening defence partnerships with Washington. India's fighter fleet modernisation strategy has centred on the indigenous HAL Tejas, French Rafale acquisitions, and older platforms being progressively upgraded or retired.

General Kevin Schneider, Commander of US Pacific Air Forces, participated in the press conference alongside Singh, reflecting the ongoing defence engagement between the two nations. The Tarang exercise itself signals deepening military cooperation in a region where air capability development remains central to security considerations.

India's defence procurement decisions have traditionally involved extensive evaluation periods and strategic alignment with broader military modernisation goals. Any future consideration of advanced fighter platforms would likely follow similar deliberate assessment processes, officials indicated.