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| F-35C |
By Laxman K Behera
The recent Pentagon report on U.S.-India Security Cooperation, which suggests the possible sale of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to India, has created a hubbub in the Indian media. Some observers have even suggested that New Delhi scrap its ongoing, half decade-long, effort to procure 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, and instead buy the F-35 – the only fifth-generation fighter that’s available for international customers.
However, a careful look at the possibilities shows that the F-35 isn’t actually an ideal choice for India for a variety of reasons, ranging from the delay in its development schedule, the tight production line and prohibitive cost, to India’s own efforts to jointly develop and produce a fifth-generation fighter with its traditional supplier, Russia, as well as the few technological or industrial benefits that would accrue to India from the F-35 purchase.
Read the full story at The Diplomat