A breakdown of the issues that need to be resolved for the two countries to have discussions on a potential Indian fleet of F-35 aircraft, in the concluding part of this analysis.
The first part of an analysis that examines whether the time is right for the two countries to finally have a discussion on a potential Indian order of the F-35 fifth generation fighter aircraft.
The Indian Navy has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF) with the ability to operate from both STOBAR and CATOBAR aircraft carriers.
The Khanderi has been named for an older Foxtrot-class Indian Navy boat decommissioned in 1989 and is expected to be delivered to the navy by the end of the year, after she completes sea trials.
“Unfortunately the LCA has not been able to meet the carrier capability required. So that is why we need an alternate aircraft now,” said navy chief, Admiral Sunil Lanba.