Washington DC [United States], February 14 (HBTV): In a significant announcement, US President Donald Trump on Thursday stated that the United States will increase its military sales to India by billions of dollars and is paving the way to provide India with F-35 stealth fighters.
‘Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters,’ Trump said during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their bilateral talks.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most widely deployed fifth-generation fighter, participated in the 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s largest aerospace and defense exhibition, held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru earlier this month. The fighter jet integrates advanced stealth, unparalleled situational awareness, and networked combat capabilities.
Earlier in the day, US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz met Prime Minister Modi. Their discussions focused on strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, with an emphasis on strategic technologies, defense industrial cooperation, civil nuclear energy—particularly small modular reactors—and counterterrorism efforts. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.
At Aero India, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased, for the first time, a full-scale model of India’s first 5.5-generation stealth aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), featuring cutting-edge technologies.
The Cabinet Committee on Security had, in March last year, approved the project to design and develop the AMCA fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. The project, valued at approximately INR 15,000 crore, will be led by the DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency in collaboration with various private and public sector entities. The plan includes building around five prototypes over the next five years. (ANI)