IAF Chief States US Has Not Offered F-35 Jets to India
Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh stated on October 10, 2026, that the United States had not formally offered to sell its F-35 fighter jets to India. He made the remarks during a press conference in Jodhpur, India, on the sidelines of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-2026, where six US F-35A Lightning II fighter jets participated.
2 paksh3 articles
What Happened
On October 10, 2026, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh announced that the United States had not made a formal offer to sell its F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets to India. He made this statement during a press conference in Jodhpur, India, at the concluding ceremony of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-2026. General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces, was present during the remarks. Air Chief Marshal Singh also mentioned that Indian personnel were not granted access to the cockpits of the F-35s, which General Schneider attributed to security protocols.
The exercise Tarang Shakti-2026 began on September 26, 2026, and was scheduled to conclude on October 12, 2026. Six US F-35A Lightning II fighter jets participated in the exercise, marking their first tactical training deployment in India. Air Chief Marshal Singh clarified that his comment about restricted access was made in jest and confirmed that no decision had been made regarding Russia's offer to sell its Su-57 fighter aircraft to India.
Key Facts
- IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh stated on October 10, 2026, that the US had not formally offered F-35 fighter jets to India.Hindustan Times
- The statement was made during a press conference in Jodhpur, India, at the concluding ceremony of Exercise Tarang Shakti-2026.From research
- General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces, was present during the press conference.NDTV
- Six US F-35A Lightning II fighter jets participated in Exercise Tarang Shakti-2026, their first tactical deployment in India.From research
- Indian personnel were not allowed access to the cockpits of the F-35s due to security protocols.From research
- Exercise Tarang Shakti-2026 commenced on September 26, 2026, and was scheduled to conclude on October 12, 2026.From research
The Timeline3
Every article on this story, in the order it was filed. We do not rank the outlets.
10 Oct
11 Oct
- HTHindustan TimesIAF chief ribs US general over F-35 at combat drills
CoverageWhat we read
Language reach
Dailies carrying this story, against the dailies we read in each language.
- English2 of 9
Regional reach
Where this story reached, and where it did not. National mastheads and wire agencies circulate everywhere and are counted separately, not drawn on the map.
- None carried this
- No source registered
- 1 outlet
- 2 or more
- NorthNot carried0 of 4
- WestNot carried0 of 5
- Central IndiaNot carried0 of 1
- EastNot carried0 of 5
- North-eastNot carried0 of 2
- SouthNot carried0 of 10
No regional newsroom has picked this up yet. The coverage is national only. Also carried by 2 national mastheads.
About This Analysis
One summary, built from every source. No single newsroom's voice.
- 2
- Paksh
- 3
- Articles
- 6
- Key facts
Paksh: the sides a story is told from. 2 newsrooms filed on this one, and every filing is listed above.