Indien Opposition Slams Trumps F-35-Angebot, Russland macht seinen eigenen Platz

SS: India’s opposition parties have criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer to sell F-35 fighters to the country, citing their high costs, even as Russia has discussed producing its most advanced jets locally in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goals.

The offer from both U.S. and India’s long-time defence partner Russia comes at a time when the Indian Air Force’s squadrons have fallen to 31 from an approved strength of 42 and it is seeking to acquire more jets to counter China, which is rapidly building its military.

India’s main opposition Congress party has used Trump ally and billionaire Elon Musk’s past criticism of the fighter to target Modi’s government.

The Indian government has not said it intends to buy the plane and India’s foreign secretary told reporters last week that the U.S. offer was at a “proposal stage”, adding that the acquisition process had not started.

India’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last week, Russia offered to make in India its fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter, with locally sourced components, saying production could begin as early as this year if India agreed.

“Russia has never shied away from transferring technology,” said Amit Cowshish, former financial adviser for acquisitions at the Indian defence ministry.

“The problem is not with Russia offering transfer of technology … we will continue to deal with Russia and buy oil and maybe buy a couple of other things, but such a big (defence) deal is likely to create its own difficulties vis-à-vis (the) U.S.,” Cowshish said.

Who could’ve known bullying countries into deals wasn’t good diplomacy?