Does the F-35 Fit Into India’s Skies? A Closer Look at Compatibility Challenges

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The recent offer by U.S. President Donald Trump to sell the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet to India has sparked widespread debate across Indian defence and strategic circles. While much of the discussion has revolved around geopolitical concerns and India’s strategic autonomy, another pressing issue lies beneath the surface — the technical compatibility of the F-35 within the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Beyond political sensitivities, does the F-35 even make operational sense for India?

The Rise of Network-Centric Warfare

Modern aerial combat is no longer about individual aircraft performing isolated missions. Today’s battlefield is shaped by real-time connectivity. Information superiority, enabled by advanced communication links, is what defines success.

In the U.S. and NATO forces, aircraft, AWACS, and ground control stations are fully integrated through secure data links like Link 16. These systems allow fighters to share radar data, track enemy aircraft, and create a unified situational picture. Experiments from the 1990s demonstrated that data-linked fighters were over two times more effective than those relying on voice communications alone. This shift has redefined air warfare as network-centric rather than platform-centric.

The F-35 is designed precisely for this environment — operating not just as a stealth aircraft, but as a central node in a vast network of sensors and shooters.

India’s Current Combat Ecosystem

Unfortunately, the Indian Air Force is still far from achieving this level of seamless integration. Despite having a variety of modern aircraft like the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Mirage-2000, and Tejas, these platforms often operate independently, lacking the real-time data fusion seen in Western air forces.

India has taken steps to improve connectivity, including adopting the Israeli BNET software-defined radios, which allow encrypted communications between aircraft. However, major gaps remain. For example, there is still no conclusive evidence that different aircraft platforms — such as the Tejas, Mirage-2000, and Su-30MKI — can exchange radar tracks or targeting information through a common operational data link. During the 2019 post-Balakot air engagements, IAF fighter controllers were still using voice communication — far from ideal in high-intensity scenarios.

The F-35’s Isolation Risk

Even if the IAF builds a native data-sharing ecosystem, a critical issue persists — would the F-35 be compatible with it?

The F-35 operates on a highly secure and proprietary network designed and controlled by the U.S. military. Its systems are deeply integrated with American and allied communications protocols. Allowing the F-35 to interface with a foreign network, particularly one as hybrid and non-standardized as India’s, would involve complex software and hardware changes. Moreover, the U.S. government is unlikely to grant India the autonomy to customize the F-35's internal systems to this extent.

This creates a scenario where the F-35 would operate as a standalone, isolated asset — stealthy and powerful, but unable to contribute to or benefit from the broader air picture. Instead of acting as a team player, it would be a lone wolf in the sky.

Beyond Platforms: Building a Connected Force

This challenge isn’t unique to the F-35. Even the Rafale, which has been operational in India for years, faces data-sharing limitations due to differing standards across platforms. The core issue is not with individual aircraft, but with the absence of a common, cohesive infrastructure that allows all assets to function as a synchronized force.

If the IAF truly wants to transform into a next-generation air power, investments must go beyond just acquiring fighter jets. Focus must shift to developing support infrastructure — Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), refuelling tankers, secure data links, electronic warfare suites, and integrated command centers.

Such an ecosystem would allow even existing fourth-generation aircraft like the Tejas to become highly effective. Without it, adding fifth-generation aircraft risks creating capability mismatches and inefficiencies.

The Road Ahead

Rather than chase the allure of owning the latest stealth fighters, India must strengthen the spine of its air power — seamless connectivity, rapid data-sharing, and integrated decision-making. In a connected battlefield, information is power. The F-35 is built to excel in such a space, but only if the environment supports it.

Until India builds that foundation, acquiring the F-35 may create more complications than combat edge.

Written by Defence Expert