Israeli Ambassador: F-35s Ensure Air Supremacy for India Like in the Middle East

Synopsis

Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, emphasized that acquiring F-35 fighter jets from the US would provide the Indian Air Force similar air superiority as experienced by Israel in the Middle East, highlighting advanced military technologies' importance in gaining an edge over adversaries.

Key Takeaways

F-35 jets enhance air dominance.
Israel's air force benefits from F-35s.
India could achieve similar superiority.
US military sales expansion to India anticipated.
F-35s integrate advanced electronic systems.

New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) Highlighting the air superiority that has been granted to his nation's air force, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar stated that any prospective agreement between India and the United States regarding the provision of F-35 fighter jets will similarly enhance the capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the near future.

"I believe that the advanced technologies within the military sector are crucial for gaining an advantage over rivals. We have already received multiple squadrons of F-35s, which are demonstrating their capability in establishing Israeli dominance over the skies of the Middle East. If India successfully acquires F-35s, it will undoubtedly achieve a comparable superiority," Azar conveyed in an exclusive interview with IANS on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's significant visit to Washington, US President Donald Trump suggested that the United States would expand military sales to India by billions of dollars, which includes the provision of F-35 fighter jets.

The procurement of these advanced stealth fighters would place India on par with NATO allies, as only select countries have the privilege to purchase F-35 stealth fighters. The only two other nations that have bypassed such 'restrictions' are Israel and Japan.

The Israeli government opted for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II as the next-generation fighter aircraft for the Israeli Air Force in October 2010.

Israel was the inaugural recipient of the Lockheed Martin F-35 - regarded as one of the most formidable and capable aircraft - through the United States government's Foreign Military Sales process.

Like any aircraft that enters service in the IDF, the F-35 was given the Hebrew name, 'Ha-Adir' (The Great).

"The F-35 is also built with enhanced electronic systems onboard. Various radars, infrared systems, and active electronic warfare systems are all integrated into the aircraft during production. These are essential components of the plane, unlike the common practice of treating them as 'add-ons' in other aircraft," the Israeli Air Force explained.