According to Business Standard, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is increasingly interested in procuring the US F-35 Lightning II.

Business Standard learnt the IAF top officials are formally requesting for a classified briefing by the F-35’s prime builder, Lockheed Martin, on the capabilities of the sophisticated, fifth-generation fighter developed under the US Joint Strike Fighter programme. A classified briefing would require formal clearance from the US Department of Defence and the State Department. The grant of such a clearance would be an important first step towards permitting the sale of F-35s to India. It is learnt the IAF wants to procure 126 F-35As.