The ‘Secret’ – Is America Showing off the F-35 to Sell it to India? At Aero India 2025, the F-35 Lightning II and Su-57 Felon were showcased together, highlighting India’s ongoing fighter jet dilemma. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting President Donald Trump, speculation is mounting—will Trump offer India the F-35 to counter Russia’s sales push?
Key Point #1 – While the Su-57 struggles with production and combat effectiveness, the F-35 has gained global adoption despite its price tag.
Key Point #2 – India’s decision could reshape its air force modernization and solidify U.S.-India ties, challenging Russia’s grip on India’s defense market. Could fighter jet diplomacy bring India and the U.S. even closer?
Would Donald Trump Sell the F-35 to India?
Two stealth airplanes have shared a tarmac at an air show in India. No, this isn’t the American F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor, it is instead the F-35 and Russia’s Su-57 Felon.
These two fighter jets are competing for attention at the Aero India expo in Bengaluru for the first time.
This is a surprise because both the United States and Russia are considered rivals, if not enemies, and now the countries aim to impress with their main fighters on the export market publicly.
The F-35 has been wildly popular overseas, and the Su-57 is trying to keep up.
This is also the first time that the Felon has flown at Aero India, located at Air Force Station Yelahanka.
The F-35, from Lockheed Martin, has been a past participant in the air show. Attendees were impressed by both fighters in the unexpected showdown, while the event’s organizers were excited.
“Aero India 2025 will provide a rare side-by-side comparison of Eastern and Western fifth-generation fighter technology, offering defense analysts, military personnel, and aviation enthusiasts valuable insights into their respective capabilities,” according to the Indian Ministry of Defense.
Will Modi and Trump Discuss the F-35?
In what could be a related event, India’s Prime Minister Narenda Modi is visiting President Donald Trump this week and perhaps the F-35 will be a topic of conversation. Trump, if he is briefed about the Su-57, may complain about how India seems to be warm to Russian airplanes.
India was famously non-aligned and neutral during the Cold War with the Soviet Union, much to the frustration of the United States and the West.
The Americans would like nothing better for the Indians to buy F-35s instead of the Su-57. No formal offer has been made to the Indians by Lockheed Martin for the Lightning II but that could change this week.
Russia Claims It Has Buyer, But There Is No Country Coming Forward
Russia’s defense contractor Rosoboronexport announced that they had already found a buyer for the Su-57, but no country was disclosed.
So far, the Su-57 has not made any sales to overseas customers. India has articulated plans to purchase a fifth-generation fighter since 2003.
Is the Su-57 Felon Fighter That Good?
The international reception to the Su-57 has been mixed. The Felon has not enjoyed a stellar war against Ukraine.
The airplane is rarely used for dogfighting and often stays in reserve out of range of Ukrainian air defenses.
The Russians may have produced only as few as a few dozen Su-57s, while the United States has made over a thousand F-35s.
The Russians think the Su-57 has a superior supercruise mode and that the jet is more agile and maneuverable than the F-35.
Meanwhile, Americans believe that Lightning II has better stealth characteristics and can outclass Felon in dogfighting.
The F-35 Could Be More Expensive
Russia, in the past, claimed it could produce the Su-57 for a lesser amount than the F-35, but Rosoboronexport has not released the price of the Felon to the public.
Estimates by observers claim the Su-57 can be had for $30 to $50 million. The defense contractor often announces interested countries and has signed a letter of intent without having an actual contract in place. This is typical Russian braggadocio and disinformation.
Meanwhile, Indian planners behind the air show are thrilled to get this much attention. That doesn’t mean the Modi defense ministry will purchase the Su-57 or the F-35.
Still, India is not known for its indigenous military production capabilities, so its air force is likely interested in a fifth-generation fighter already produced in numbers.
There is an effort to build a homegrown stealth fighter, but that may not be ready until 2036. Currently, the Indians have plans to purchase new fourth-generation ++ fighters.
Algeria and Egypt have reportedly been interested in the Su-57, but due to international sanctions and animus toward Russia because it invaded Ukraine and the long and violent war of attrition, Vladimir Putin and his defense industry are seen as a pariah.
Su-57 Felon Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Cementing the U.S.-India Alliance
The United States considers India one of its main allies. The partnership with Modi has been strong since the Indian leader took office. Washington made many inroads with Ankara under President Joe Biden.
Trump wants to keep this alliance going with more defense deals, and the F-35 would be a good example of unity between the two states.
This would be an example of what I call “fighter plane diplomacy,” and the arrangement has worked with many countries worldwide that have purchased the F-35.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, showcases the unique aerial capabilities of the USAFs most advanced 5th generation multi-role stealth fighter, the F-35A, during Wings Over Solano at Travis Air Force Base, California, May 15, 2022. The Wings Over Solano open house and air show provided an opportunity for the local community to interact directly with the base and its Airmen and see capabilities on full display at Travis AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)
The F-35 and Su-57 appearance at this air show if more for public relations purposes. It would be a surprise if India bought the Su-57, but it is within the realm of possibility. Look for Lockheed Martin to make a personal request to Trump before he meets with Modi to extol the virtues of the F-35 so India doesn’t deal with the Russians for the Su-57.
It takes constant efforts to improve relations, and fighter plane diplomacy is one gambit that could bring the United States and India closer together.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
