AMCA remains on track despite the US offer for F35

US President Donald Trump at a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said US will review its policy on releasing – or okaying sales of -- fifth generation fighters to India. Despite the US offer, India is not going to ‘kill’ its ongoing programme to manufacture a indigenous fifth generation fighter jet the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The AMCA is planned to take its first flight in 2027-28. The Cabinet Committee on Security had okayed a Rs 15,000 crore development project for AMCA. There are separate negotiations on for getting an engine in partnership with French Safran and US General Electric Trump’s offer for a ‘fifth generation’ plane is the F35 made by US company Lockheed Martin. The F35 a stealth multirole fighter jet, is subject to certain technology restrictions due to its advanced capabilities and sensitive technologies. A notable restriction is in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which governs the export and transfer of defence-related technologies. Any country wishing to acquire the F-35 must meet stringent requirements and obtain approval from the U.S. government. There have been specific cases where countries have faced restrictions on purchasing the F-35 due to their acquisition of other defence systems. US removed Turkey from the F-35 program after it purchased Russia's S-400 air defence system as the US had concerns about potential exposure of sensitive technological data. India also operates the same S-400 system, how the US overcomes this hurdle remains to be seen.

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