The Indian government, reportedly, is unlikely to proceed with any major new defense acquisitions from the U.S. in the near term, including the F- 35 purchase. The news reported by diplomatic officials in anonymity revealed Modi’s decision, amidst Washington’s ongoing efforts to secure additional high-value defense contracts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House was a crucial part in the conversation of strengthening the nations’ defense partnership and the Indian PM also offered the F-35 as part of a broader strategic collaboration.
India rejects US F-35 stealth jet offer, prioritizes co-designing & manufacturing defense equipment locally, per Bloomberg. pic.twitter.com/AFxFCVhzdj
— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) July 31, 2025
Indian officials indicated that New Delhi remains committed to a defense procurement model that emphasizes technology sharing, local manufacturing, and indigenous capability development. “The government is more interested in a partnership focused on jointly designing and manufacturing defense equipment domestically,” one official told Bloomberg.
Washington is looking to deepen defense-industrial ties with India, by steadily increasing purchases of U.S. platforms in recent years and the F- 35 purchase was also a part of the deal. India was also supposed to be buying the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.
Swooping in between Washington and New Delhi, Russia has proposed a better deal in July, one that aligns with India’s interests. The offer Moscow includes a two-pronged fighter jet package: the Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter and the Su-35M multirole air superiority aircraft.
Russia’s state defense conglomerate Rostec and aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi have also included full technology transfer for the Su-57E, with domestic assembly at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Nashik facility, where over 220 Su-30MKI jets have already been built. The localization rate could reach up to 60%, allowing India to integrate indigenous systems such as the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, Rudram anti-radiation missiles, and the Virupaksha AESA radar.
