The Indian Air Force (IAF) has denied making a request for a briefing from Lockheed Martin on F-35 Lightning II aircraft. the Business Standard had published a report on 15 February that the IAF had formally requested a classified briefing by the F-35's prime builder, Lockheed Martin to procure 126 of the variant called F-35A.

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said New Delhi had “not officially asked for a briefing on the F-35 nor has any request been made to the Americans.” The U.S. Department of Defense's F-35 Joint Program Office also commented on the issue by saying that it was unaware of any request for a briefing by the Indian government.