By Here are three short paragraphs:US President Donald Trump’s offer to sell F-35 fighter jets to India has sparked debate among defense experts and opposition parties in India. The offer was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, but Indian officials have clarified that no formal decision has been made on the purchase. The F-35 is considered one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, but its high cost and maintenance requirements have raised concerns.
Defense analyst Rahul Bedi notes that the F-35 is a “very expensive” aircraft, with a price tag of around $80-110 million per unit. He also points out that the Indian Air Force already operates a diverse fleet of fighter jets, and the addition of the F-35 would require significant investment in maintenance and training infrastructure. Bedi suggests that India’s priority should be to strengthen its existing fleet rather than investing in a new, expensive aircraft.
The offer to sell F-35s to India is seen as part of the US efforts to strengthen its defense partnership with India and counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region. However, Indian officials are cautious about committing to a purchase, given the high costs and maintenance requirements involved. The Indian Air Force is already in the process of acquiring new fighter jets, including the Rafale from France and the Tejas, a domestically developed aircraft.
