The US Air Force is expected to deploy its F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft during Tarang Shakti, IAF’s largest multilateral air combat exercise to be held in Jodhpur from September 26 to October 12, officials aware of the development said on Monday.
India is firmly pushing ahead with an ambitious plan to develop an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This is the first time the F-35 stealth fighter is taking part in an exercise in the country, the officials said. To be sure, the aircraft took part in the Aero India show in Bengaluru in 2025 and 2023. Last year, President Donald Trump announced that the US is paving the way for India to get the F-35 stealth fighters ; however, the IAF has not received a formal proposal. Russia has also offered to jointly produce its Su-57 stealth fighter in the country.
Because china has already deployed the J-20 fifth-generation fighters, is rolling out the J-35 stealth fighters, and has tested two sixth-generation platforms designated J-36 and J-50, speeding up the AMCA programme is critical.
