Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/BENGALURU: The United States (US) brought its most advanced fighter jet, the F-35, to India for the first time this week alongside F-16s, Super Hornets, and B-1B bombers as the US looks to woo New Delhi away from its traditional army supplier, Russia.
India, desperate to modernize its largely Soviet-era fighter jet fleet to boost its power, is concerned about Russian supply delays due to the Ukraine war and faces pressure from Europe to distance itself from Moscow.
US delegation
The United States delegation to the week-long Aero India show in Bengaluru, which ends, is the biggest in the 27-year history of the show and underlines the growing strategic relationship between India and the United States.
In contrast, Russia, India’s largest arms supplier since the ex-Soviet Union days, had a nominal presence. Its state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport had a joint stall with United Aircraft and Almaz-Antey, displaying miniature models of aircraft, trucks, radars, and tanks.
In the previous editions of the show, Rosoboronexport had a more central position for its stall, although Russia has yet to bring a fighter jet to Bengaluru for the decade after India began considering more European and American fighter jets.
Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets have entered the race to supply fighter jets for the Indian Navy’s second aircraft carrier, and Lockheed Martin’s F-21, the upgraded F-16 designed for India unveiled at Aero India in 2019, are being offered to the air force.
