IAF Chief AP Singh, Senior Officials Take Tour Of US' F-35, F-16 Jets At Aero India

The United States has sent F-35 fighter jets to India for the ongoing ‘Aero India’ show organised by the Ministry of Defence that is underway at the Yelahanka Air Force station in Bengaluru.

IAF Chief AP Singh takes a tour of the American fighter jets at Aero India.

Source : US Embassy India

A delegation of armed forces officials, including Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) AP Singh, took a tour of US F-35 and F-16 jets at the 'Aero India 2025' on Friday. 

"It was an honor and privilege to host the esteemed senior Indian delegation on a tour of U.S. F-35s and F-16s at #AeroIndia2025. Their visit highlights the growing #USIndiaDefense partnership and our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Grateful for the opportunity to showcase cutting-edge aerospace innovations and strengthen the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership," The US Embassy in India said in a post on X. 

The military officials' tour of the American fighter jets comes even as US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would increase sales of military hardware to New Delhi by millions of dollars including possible supply of F-35 stealth fighter jets.

It was an honor and privilege to host the esteemed senior Indian delegation on a tour of U.S. F-35s and F-16s at #AeroIndia2025. Their visit highlights the growing #USIndiaDefense partnership and our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Grateful for the opportunity… pic.twitter.com/LrXpKZLsMV

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) February 14, 2025

"Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 Stealth fighters,” President Trump said in a joint press conference with PM Modi at the White House on Thursday.

The F35 jets are known as the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the world. Asked at a media briefing if India plans to procure F-35 jets from the US, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, said it is at a proposal stage. "This is currently something that's at the stage of a proposal. But I don't think the formal process in this regard has started yet," he said.

This comes at a time when the US had sent F-35 fighter jets to India for the ongoing ‘Aero India’ show organised by the Ministry of Defence.

More than 500 delegates from 84 countries, including foreign guests, Defence Ministers and service chiefs have participated in 'Aero India 2025' the biennial show that has emerged as Asia’s largest. This year saw 931 exhibitors, including 782 Indians. This also included 58 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and 115 global CEOs.