F-35 is a completely new system and like all new technology was very pricey in the beginning. Now it is being purchased by many countries including US Air Force. As a result the price is coming down rapidly. Lockheed CEO is offering it for $85 million in 2019 production. If India buys a sizable number it could be assembled and repaired in India. It is already being assembled and repaired in multiple countries. If US and India are in friendly terms, what is the harm in US knowing its activities. F-35 will be unparalleled for missions inside China. India is not planning to fight USA and if it does in the future, use FGFA or Pak-FA for those missions.
India needs a streamlined strategy for the military aircrafts. Super expensive outdated Rafale or Super-Sukhoi at 8-9 billion each deal is simply not the solution. Then spend more money for Navy jets. Perhaps, it makes sense to many of you. It does not make sense to many.
My point is why to waste so many billions on outdated technology and equipment of the past. Why not invest on equipment of the future like F-35 and FGFA that will last many decades to come?
you want a 5th generation fighter plane in 85 million $ ? really ??
85 million $ will be estimate cost of plane without engine , subsystems & weapons (& EXCLUDING DEVELOPMENT COST ) .
only Israel have permission to repair & modify F-35 outside USA ,even NATO allies like Japan , canada & Australia dont have that privilege , we can not use non NATO missiles like ASTRA & BRAMHOS , we will not get any technological benefit .
chinkies are preparing for F-35 & they have anti stealth radars .
India bought sukhoi 30 Mki in 1999 & it needs upgrade , it is not optional it is necessary .
India is not buying super sukhois , india is just upgrading it's 194 sukhoi 30 mki .....................upgraded sukhoi 30 mki will be called super sukhois .
and i dont think India needs rafaels but if we are buying it then it is because of some other reasons , like we want french help in developing 5th generation jet engines , in atomic technologies or we want french political support in International Forums like NSG , MCTR & United nations .