The United States has announced an increase in military sales to India, starting in 2025, with plans to offer fighter jets such as the F-35.
US President Donald Trump emphasized that military sales to India will rise by billions of dollars and that the path is being paved to provide India with F-35 aircraft. However, he did not provide a timeline for these sales, noting that such deals for advanced technology usually take years to finalize.
In a joint press conference following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump also announced that the two countries had reached an agreement to increase imports of oil and gas from the US to India, aiming to reduce the trade deficit between the two nations. Additionally, Trump highlighted cooperation in the fight against radical Islamic terrorism.
Since 2008, India has made agreements to purchase over $20 billion worth of American defense products, including a recent deal for 31 MQ-9B SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian drones. According to the US Congressional Research Service, India is expected to spend over $200 billion on military modernization in the next decade.
Furthermore, Russia has been the primary arms supplier to India, but due to the war in Ukraine, Moscow’s ability to export has diminished. This has forced India to turn to the West, including the purchase of F-35 fighter jets. However, Russia has offered to produce its Su-57 fighter jet in India in an effort to maintain strong ties with New Delhi.
