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US-India F-35 Fighter Jet Deal
The announcement by former President Donald Trump, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, regarding the potential sale of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft to India has raised concerns across India's military and strategic community.
Concerns Highlighted by the DOT&E Report
- The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) report showed the F-35 fleet in the USAF had a full mission capable rate of only 30% as of late 2023.
- The benchmark for full-mission availability for credible air forces is 65%.
- The F-35s suffered frequent breakdowns, with an average repair time of 141 days.
- Critical failure rates were more than double the expected levels.
Technical and Logistical Challenges
- There is a shortage of spare parts, affecting crucial components like engine parts and sensors.
- Issues with software and hardware integration led to a halt in F-35 deliveries since July 2023.
- The Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) faced severe connectivity issues, prompting its replacement with the Operational Data Integrated Network (ODIN).
Criticism and Strategic Concerns
- Elon Musk criticized the F-35 program as a financial failure, with similar views expressed by military and intelligence veterans.
- Questions arise about India's potential acquisition given the aircraft's limited operational reliability.
- Concerns about the inability to access sensitive technologies and source codes from the US.
- F-35's stealth capabilities were questioned after an Israeli operation over Iran failed to penetrate air defenses.
India's defense community is wary of the strategic implications of acquiring potentially unreliable defense equipment, with hopes to influence the government’s decision against the deal for national security reasons. ```
