India’s acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets appears to have rattled China, triggering heavy speculation in the Chinese media that New Delhi could now be homing on to buying either F-15EX or F-21 from the United States.
The speculation has escalated after the first summit on Friday of the Indo-Pacific Quad grouping comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia.
The publication Sina, citing Indian media sources said that the US is marketing two advanced combat aircraft F-15EX and F-21 to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
It added that India may need more fighters to counter the challenges brought by China and Pakistan on the northern and western fronts.
“In order to meet the requirements of the IAF, the Indian government has been considering bidding for the "Medium Multi-Function Fighter" (MMRCA 2.0). The United States has recommended F15EX and F-21 fighter jets to India.”
The report stressed that the US aerospace giant Boeing has previously revealed that Washington has approved the sale of the latest heavy fighter F-15EX to India. On the other hand, the American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Maryland, also provided India with F-21 fighter jets to enhance its air power.
According to reports, the F-21 uses the common components and technologies of the fifth-generation American stealth fighter. However, the Boeing F-15EX will provide the Indian Air Force with a heavy-duty fighter that can fight deep into Pakistan’s territory and has the ability to fight against China in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh.
