BENGALURU: US Air Forces newest fifth-generation fighters-- the stealthy, supersonic, multirole F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter-- debuted at Aero India 2023 on Monday, with a speedy flypast prior to landing.The showcasing of the jets assumes tactical significance against the background of growing ties between India and the United States and the geopolitics in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.The F-35A Joint Strike Fighter came from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and F-35A Lightning II from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.Major General Julian C Cheater, assistant deputy under secretary of the United States Air Force (global affairs), stated: The F-35 represents the cutting edge of United States fighter innovation.
Aero India is the ideal forum to showcase the most sophisticated, capable, lethal and interoperable weapons systems the US has to use.
This system and others are created to permeate and beat innovative adversary air defences.
While Rear Admiral Michael L Baker, defence attach to India, said the F-35s existence was indicated to demonstrate the strength and nearness of the India-US partnership and not since theres a possibility of acquisition, the timing of the fighter jets debut cant be ignored.
So far, India has not officially sought the F-35 from the United States.