Latest news with #F-25
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First Post
01-08-2025
- Business
- First Post
India rejects Trump's F-35 offer? Report says new defence purchase off the table amid US tariff blitz
Even as India is looking at ways to address some of the concerns of US President Donald Trump, such as reducing the trade deficit, India has made it clear that any major purchase of defence equipment, such as F-25 fighter planes, is not on the cards, according to a report. read more (File) A flight deck crew signal to F-35 jet on USS George Washington during Freedom Edge trilateral exercise among United States, Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea, south of the Korean peninsula and west of Japan's main islands November 14, 2024. Reuters Even as India is looking at ways to placate US President Donald Trump, no major purchase of American defence equipment, such as the F-35 fighter plane, is on the cards, according to a report. In recent days, Trump has been on a constant offensive against India, firing off one angry social media post after another. In addition to slapping India with 25 per cent tariff, he has threatened additional penalties for any trade with Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump's announcement of 25 per cent tariff on India even as the two countries were engaged in trade talks came as a shock and disappointment to the Indian government, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. They said that India was looking at ways to address some of Trump's concerns, such as reducing the trade deficit, but no major defence purchase, such as F-35 fighter plane that the US president has wanted to sell to India, is on the cards. The United States is the largest Indian trading partner. The US runs its 11th-largest trade deficit with India. What's on the table in India-US table — and what's not Even though India and the United States have close defence and security ties, and India uses US defence equipment such as military transport aeroplanes, no new purchases of any equipment like F-35s is on the cards to decrease the trade deficit, according to Bloomberg. To reduce the trade deficit in a bid to placate Trump, India is considering increasing the purchase of natural gas, communication equipment, and gold from the United States, the report said. Even as the India reserves the right to impose retaliatory measures, no immediate retaliation is expected as India hopes to resolve the crisis with ongoing negotiations and concessions described above. However, it is not known if Trump would be convinced as he has made the purchase of US defence equipment a key demand in his dealings with India, the report said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
News18
16-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Did Iran Actually Shoot Down Three Israeli F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets? Here's What IDF Said
Last Updated: Iranian state media have claimed that its air defences have shot down three Israeli F-35 stealth fighter jets in the last 48 hours, and captured a female Israeli pilot. Iranian state media have claimed that its air defences have shot down three Israeli F-35 stealth fighter jets in the last 48 hours, as the deadly conflict between Israel and Iran continued for a third day. According to IRNA news agency, a third F-35 jet was shot down by Iran's air defences on Saturday, and the pilot was captured by army commandos. On Friday, Tasnim news agency reported that the army shot down two Israeli fighter jets involved in airstrikes on Iranian territory, and also took an Israeli woman pilot into custody. Iran's Army Public Relations Office also claimed that the country's air defence units had successfully targeted and destroyed two Israeli fighter jets, along with multiple drones. An investigation was underway to determine the fate of the pilots. If the news is true, it would be a major loss for Israel and the US, as the F-35 stealth jet is considered one of the most advanced combat aircraft, and it would make Iran the first country to shoot down an F-35 in combat. IDF Responds To Iran's Claims While Iranian media said it had shot down F-25 fighter jets, the claim was swiftly rejected by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), who described them as 'fabricated". IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee dismissed the reports as baseless, stating, 'Iranian media is spreading lies. The entire report is fabricated." Iran has also not provided any visual proof that it had taken down the F-35 fighter jets, and so their claims are yet to be authenticated with conflicting narratives emerging from both sides. International observers and military bloggers also raised doubts on the veracity of purported images of the wreckage. The F-35, developed by the United States and used by Israel, is considered one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, with capabilities of stealth, sensor fusion and electronic warfare. The F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter, produced by Lockheed Martin, has three variants: The Air Force's F-35A, which is the most produced and most sold to allies; the Marine Corps F-35B, which has the ability to take off and land vertically, and hover like a helicopter; and the Navy's F-35C, which can land on a carrier. The jet has several unique features like its 'advanced stealth" enables it to avoid radar, and the sensors, communications and avionics allow it to track the enemy, jam radars and thwart attacks. It is extensively used in Israeli operations to carry out precision strikes in hostile environments. It is also capable of flying long distances without refuelling due to additional fuel tanks. To shoot down an F-35 fighter jet would mean that Iran has an extraordinary air defence capability. The sole confirmed case of a stealth aircraft being shot down occurred in 1999, when a US F-117 Nighthawk was brought down during NATO's military campaign in Yugoslavia. First Published: June 15, 2025, 22:22 IST
