US to send F-35 stealth fighter, B1 Lancer bomber and KC-46 tanker to Aero India 2023

Source : Indian Defence Updates (IDU)

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The United States will send its F-35 5th generation fighter jet and B1 Lancer bomber to Aero India 2023 which will participate in both static and flying displays.

American firms Lockheed Martin and Boeing Aerospace are eyeing contracts with the Indian Air Force for its F-16 and F-15EX variants but the US sending its F-35 aircraft for Aero India hints at the possibility that the US might offer the F-35A to counter the Rafael F4 offer by France’s Dassault Aviation.

The F-16 bid never stood a chance in the MRFA tender and interestingly the Indian Air Force Chief had said in October 2022 that the Air Force is searching for a 4.5th generation or 5th generation aircraft under the MRFA tender.

The United States is also sending Boeing KC-46 Pegasus military aerial refueling aircraft to Aero India that has been offered to India under the Foreign Military Sale program.