By Vikas Gupta
Defence News of India, 13 February 2023
Two United States Air Force (USAF) F-35A fighters – arguably the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter – landed at Yelahanka Air Base and parked without fanfare in the static display area, sending Aero India Expo 2023 onlookers outside Bengaluru into a frenzy of selfie clicks.
There had been rumors ahead of Aero India 2023 that an F-35 might fly over the air show as a show of solidarity and support from the US military. But the landing of two F-35s and a sharp statement from the US government came as a surprise to most.
“The USAF’s new fifth-generation fighters – the stealth, supersonic, multi-role F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter – will make their debut at Aero India 2023,” said an official announcement from the States Consulate General. States in Chennai.
“After traveling from Hill Air Force Base in Utah, USA, the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team will wow crowds with a demonstration of its unique aerial capabilities. The F-35A Lightning II from the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska will be on static display,” he said.
For many Indian Air Force (IAF) commentators, the arrival of the F-35s at Yelahanka was not a vain move. More likely, it was a signal that Washington was positioning an American fighter to win an ongoing IAF tender for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA).
The F-21 – the fighter currently offered by US aerospace supplier Lockheed Martin – is considered by many IAF analysts to be technologically outdated. Also, it is well known that the F-21 is a slightly upgraded variant of the F-16 Block 50/52, which is an aircraft that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been flying for decades and has mastered at all respects.
Therefore, any move by Lockheed Martin to replace the F-21 bid with an F-35 bid would be welcomed by the IAF.
“The F-35’s engine produces 43,000 pounds of thrust and consists of a three-stage fan, six-stage compressor, annular combustor, single-stage high-pressure turbine and of a two-stage low-pressure turbine,” the US statement said.
Making it clear that the F-35 fighters had been sent to Bengaluru to show off their quality, Major General Julian Cheater, USAF Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, said, “The F-35 represents the state-of-the-art American fighter technology. . Aero India is an ideal forum to showcase the most advanced, capable, lethal and interoperable weapons systems the United States has to offer. This system and others are designed to penetrate and defeat the adversary’s forward air defenses.
Washington clearly decided that the F-35 should not be offered to the IAF as a replacement for the F-16. Instead, the two planes would be positioned to compete.
“In addition to the F-35, a pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons will perform daily aerial demonstrations Feb. 13-17, showcasing the capabilities of one of the USAF’s premier fighter aircraft. On static display, the F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets are multirole fighters,” he said.
The IAF is considering nine in the acquisition of MRFA. In the twin-engine category are Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15EX Eagle II; Rafale from Dassault, Typhoon from Eurofighter GmbH, Russian RAC MiG-35 and Sukhoi-35.
In addition, two single-engine aircraft could enter service: Lockheed Martin’s F-21 Super Viper; and Gripen E/F from the Swedish firm Saab.
Contacted for a reaction, Lockheed Martin declined to comment.
