U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a major increase in arms sales to India, including the potential delivery of F-35 stealth fighter jets, following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington.
Strengthening Defense Ties
“Starting this year, we will increase military equipment sales to India by billions of dollars,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Modi.
“We are also creating a pathway for India to eventually receive F-35 stealth fighters.”
The defense agreement marks a significant step in U.S.-India military cooperation, as Washington views New Delhi as a key ally in countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
India’s Military Modernization
India has agreed to purchase over $20 billion worth of U.S. defense products since 2008, with plans to spend over $200 billion in the next decade on military modernization.
New Delhi’s previous main supplier, Russia, has been sidelined due to its war in Ukraine and international sanctions. This shift has opened the door for increased U.S. arms sales.
The F-35 Deal Still in Discussion
While Trump confirmed the F-35 offer, Indian officials stated that the agreement is still at the proposal stage, with no formal procurement process yet in place.
If completed, the deal would make India one of the few countries to operate F-35s, joining allies like Israel, Japan, and NATO nations.
This development underscores deepening U.S.-India strategic ties, especially amid rising tensions with China along their disputed 3,488 km border.
