During Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House, President Donald Trump announced that the United States could increase military sales to India, implying that New Delhi could be offered the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

“We’ll be increasing military sales to India by billions of dollars. We’re also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters,” Trump told reporters, according to Reuters.

Trump’s sales pitch involving the multirole fighter came after Russia offered its Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) to India during last month’s Aero India 25 air show and exhibition.

New Delhi hasn’t committed to either aircraft to date. 

Still, the Russian ambassador to New Delhi, Denis Alipov, suggested Moscow would be ready to offer excellent terms for the Su-57. In an interview with the India Today TV network, Alipov also touted the capabilities of the Sukhoi aircraft and the benefits that could come with any deal.

“We are offering our fifth generation fighter. We have the best machine, Sukhoi-57. We just showed it at Aero India last month in Bangalore. It is very competitive,” the ambassador explained, per Russian state media outlet Tass. 

“We are offering........

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