TA的每日心情 | 奋斗 2026-7-13 23:45 |
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Business Standard, 15th Feb 187 W# k. |5 `4 _$ t6 e2 W7 L' Y
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In what would be a huge capability jump, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is increasingly interested in procuring the American F-35 Lightning II for its depleting fighter fleet. j$ Y2 m8 V T+ Y
\( a2 q+ o# S2 I7 QBusiness Standard learns the IAF top brass is formally requesting for a classified briefing by the F-35’s prime builder, Lockheed Martin, on the capabilities of the sophisticated, fifth-generation fighter developed under the US Joint Strike Fighter programme.2 g/ j6 f, h8 Q7 p. p4 @! l
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The US government has not formally offered the F-35 to India. A classified briefing would require formal clearance from the US Department of Defence (the Pentagon) and the State Department. The grant of such a clearance would be an important first step towards permitting the sale of F-35s to India.* f2 _& X' Q( [: A/ ^4 A
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It is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A# }( F9 q" Y7 O& B1 T
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The F-35’s affordability is also attractive for New Delhi. In contrast to the bare-bones price of $115 million for each Rafale fighter (with India-specific enhancements, spares, logistics and weapons all extra), the F-35A cost customers $94.6 million last February. Lockheed Martin says it will reduce the cost to $80 million by 2020.
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Sources close to the Pentagon say India would not be sold the F-35 as long as it is partnering Russia in the FGFA co-development project. That is because Washington would guard against the leakage of F-35 technology into the FGFA.; P$ m- [8 X$ R. @+ I H* j
# @4 H0 k' X2 f y! U# [/ xSenior officers say the IAF is not enthused about the FGFA project. They point out the F-35 is further advanced in development and has already entered service with the USAF and six-seven air forces of American allies.7 R9 A# t i: D1 w! V/ o
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