At first glance, the photograph of two fighter jets — one parked on the tarmac and other zooming past it in the air — appears entirely commonplace. In reality, it is anything but. The Russian Su-57 Felon and the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II — both advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft made by rival

Trump is offering India three variants of the F-35. These are Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL), known as F-35A, Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL), known as F-35B and Carrier-based, which is F-35C.

New Delhi's decision on next-generation advanced stealth fighters will have to factor in military data leak concerns, analysts say India faces a decision that could reshape its defence future. Will it embrace the United States' offer to sell its most advanced F-35 stealth fighters,

India's opposition parties have criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's offer to sell F-35 fighters to the country, citing their high costs, even as Russia has discussed producing its most advanced jets locally in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goals.

India is considering acquiring US F-35 fighter jets through an inter-governmental agreement, similar to the Rafale deal. The jets would serve as an interim solution until the indigenous AMCA programme is operational.