The United States has offered a proposal to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to India. On the other hand, India is also developing its advanced fifth fighter jet programme Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The United States, Russia, and China are the countries that have stealth fighter jets. Turkey is also developing stealth fighter jets in the name of KAAN. Turkey has offered its stealth fighter jets to Pakistan and the latter has already announced to purchase fifth generation 40 stealth fighter jets, J-35. It has become a great concern for India.
Pakistan may get a choice, or it could have both stealth fighter jet options, but if India buys American F-35 fighter jets, it will have an edge. American stealth fighter jets are more advanced than Chinese and Turkish stealth fighter jets.
However, it is a big question how cash-strapped Pakistan will purchase stealth fighter jets from China or Turkey. The maintenance of these fighter jets is costly, and Pakistan is already struggling on budget. It is also staring at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its expenses and already took out a loan in 2024.
If India gets the F-35A from the US, It will happen for the first time that the nation is going to have American fighter jets in its fleet. The F-35A stealth fighter jets are technologically advanced and have advanced sensor fusion and electronic warfare capacity. This will give access to the Indian side to stop Pakistan fighter jets in its air space through High-End Network Warfare.
It would be a big challenge for Pakistan to purchase 40, J-35 stealth fighter jets as it will cost the nation massive as it has already got approval of $7 billion last year from IMF to meet its end.
