The possibility of India acquiring the US-made F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets has sparked significant debate, with concerns raised over their cost, operational suitability, and the manner in which the deal is being pursued.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Washington, US President Donald Trump announced plans to expand military sales to India, including a potential deal for F-35s.

“We’re also paving the way to ultimately provide India with F-35 stealth fighters,” Trump declared at a joint press conference with Modi.

However, the specifics of this potential sale remain unclear, with neither the White House nor Lockheed Martin providing further details.

Opposition and Expert Criticism

Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala has questioned the necessity of acquiring the expensive fighter jets and whether due diligence was followed before considering the purchase.

In a series of posts on social media platform X, Surjewala criticized the Modi government for considering the acquisition without consulting security experts and the armed forces.

"There is a lot of discussion about Prime Minister Modi buying F 35 fighter aircraft from America, but did the Modi government consider these aspects in the interest of the country," he asked, in one of the posts.

He highlighted multiple reported flaws in the F-35, citing its history of operational failures and accidents. He also pointed out that critics, including influential figures, have described the aircraft as "junk" and "useless."

Surjewala pointed out that the F-35 comes with several operational flaws, as highlighted in reports from the Pentagon itself. He further questioned whether the Indian Air Force (IAF) or security experts were consulted before moving forward with the deal.

“The country also wants to know whether the cost of flying the F-35 fighter plane, which is US $35,000 per hour, means Rs 28,00,000 per hour, is true. Does the Modi government think that the cost of Rs 28 lakh per hour is right for India and was the opinion of the Indian Air Force and defence experts taken in this regard?” he asked.

Adding to the criticism, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had earlier slammed the F-35 program, calling it a “broken design” that tries to be “too many things for too many people.”

He went on to call fighter jets an “outdated concept” compared to drones, which can perform similar tasks without endangering pilots.

Senior Indian Air Force personnel have also expressed scepticism over the potential purchase, suggesting that the deal may be more political than operationally necessary. Retired Air Marshal V.K. Bhatia noted that the F-35 “does not fit into the IAF’s overall operational requirements and profile,” given its high maintenance costs and operational constraints.

Additionally, experts have highlighted concerns over the stringent conditions associated with deploying US-made defence equipment, which could limit India’s flexibility in using and modifying the aircraft.

The IAF, known for its ability to innovate and adapt existing platforms, may face restrictions on modifying the F-35s as per operational needs.

Geopolitical Implications

Speculation is also growing over whether the proposed sale is linked to broader geopolitical negotiations between the US and India.

Some defence analysts believe that Washington may be using the F-35 deal as leverage in addressing issues such as India’s alleged involvement in the attempted assassination of Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Pannun and legal proceedings against industrialist Gautam Adani in a US federal court.

Despite Trump’s announcement, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has downplayed the development, stating that the F-35 sale is still at the “proposal stage” and that no formal process, such as issuing a request for proposal (RFP), has been initiated.

With opposition leaders and defence experts raising serious concerns, the Modi government faces mounting pressure to clarify its stance on the potential F-35 acquisition.

While the US continues to push for deeper defence ties with India, it remains to be seen whether the Indian government will prioritize an expensive foreign acquisition or focus on developing indigenous alternatives like the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program.

For now, the prospect of F-35s joining the IAF remains uncertain, with critical questions about cost, necessity, and strategic viability yet to be answered.