India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh saw a unique and strategically important sight during his two-day visit to Australia. This was the scene of air-to-air refueling of the F-35 stealth fighter jet. The Indian Defense Minister was aboard the Royal Australian Air Force’s KC 30A multirole tanker transport aircraft during a flight from Sydney to Canberra, where a live demo of mid-air refueling of the F-35 took place.
It has been said in media reports that there was also an agreement between India and Australia for mutual use of air to air refueling in 2024. In this way, the facility of re-fuelling from each other’s tanker aircraft will increase in future, which will prove to be very important for inter-operability and joint operation capabilities.
Let us know with this excuse what are the features of fighter jet F-35? Which company makes it? In which country is it being manufactured? How many countries have bought it and what is the price?
Why is F-35 stealth fighter jet special?
F-35 Lightning II is the 5th generation stealth multirole fighter jet of American company Lockheed Martin. It can perform both air superiority and strike (ground attack) missions on the same platform, and is also capable of performing roles such as electronic warfare, intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR). It has three major variants – F 35A (normal take off and landing from the runway), F 35B (short take off and vertical landing) and F 35C (carrier variant, for naval aircraft carriers).
Becomes special because of stealth design. Very low radar signature, aligned sides, internal weapon bay, advanced materials and manufacturing etc. together make it special. Features like AESA Radar, Distributed Aperture System, Electro Optical Targeting System and Helmet Mounted Display give it 360° awareness and God’s eye view like picture in front of the pilot.
Different variants of the F-35 also have different specific capabilities. Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
This fusion is the hallmark of the F-35, making it more than just a fighter, it is a battle manager. It is network centric and force multiplier. The F 35 not only fights on its own, it also shares information with amphibious air platforms through data links, thereby increasing the effectiveness of joint operations. It becomes more special due to its supersonic speed (about Mach 1.6), long range with internal fuel etc.
Its different variants also have different specific capabilities. The F 35A is the standard variant for the air forces. The F 35B can also operate on much smaller airstrips or amphibious ships. The F-35C is designed for naval carrier operations with large folding wings and rugged landing gear.
Who makes fighter jet F-35?
It is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, whose headquarters is located in Maryland, United States. It also has many associates. Its major industry partners include Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems etc. To work on the engine is the Pratt & Whitney F135, which is a global supply chain program. With this, this ecosystem is spread across more than nineteen hundred suppliers, 48 American states and more than 10 countries.
Defense Minister’s office gave information on re-fueling of fighter jets
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh onboard KC-30A Australian Royal Australian Air Force multirole tanker transport aircraft. He witnessed the air-to-air refueling of F-35 while traveling from Sydney to Canberra.
India and Australia had signed an agreement allowing the Royal pic.twitter.com/QoCFjLFW7J
— Defense Minister’s Office/RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) October 9, 2025
How many countries have F-35 fighter jets?
According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is the choice of the US and 19 allied countries. Meaning, a total of 20 nations are part of this program. It is not that other countries do not want it, they also want it, but there is a huge difference in demand and supply. On the other hand, many small countries cannot even buy it because they neither have the money to buy it nor do they have the strength to maintain it. Currently, its different variants are in use or in the queue for orders in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Poland, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Greece, Czech Republic, Romania, Singapore, etc.
Did India buy it?
India has not yet purchased the F-35 fighter aircraft, and there are several reasons for this. Primarily, India wants self-reliance in its defense capabilities. India wants transfer of technology in foreign defense deals, which is very limited in the case of F-35. Additionally, India’s long-standing defense ties with Russia (such as the S-400 missile system) are a matter of concern for the US, as the US does not want its sensitive F-35 technology to be compromised in any way with Russian systems.
The cost of F-35 and the huge expenditure on its maintenance is also a big reason. India is focusing on developing its own fifth generation combat aircraft (AMCA), and purchasing the F-35 could impact this indigenous programme. Additionally, America’s tight control over the F-35’s highly classified technology and data is inconsistent with India’s sovereignty and data security concerns. For all these reasons, India has not yet taken any formal steps to include the F-35 in its fleet.
The cost and maintenance of F-35 is huge, so small countries cannot buy it. Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
How much does the F-35 cost?
Its price varies depending on the flyaway versus the total package i.e. training, spare parts, simulators, weapons, support, infrastructure, meaning the more sugar you add, the sweeter the deal. There is no clear rate recorded on the company’s website, but in other media reports, the price of F-35A is said to be around 82.5 million US dollars, the price of F 35B is around 109 million US dollars and the price of F 35C is said to be around 102.1 million US dollars.
Its price may vary from country to country due to many reasons. Metrics such as total cost over the entire operational life and cost per flight hours also change. From time to time, changes in technology, needs for upgradation etc. also affect the price. Weapons are also fitted differently in this fighter jet. If the varieties are improved then naturally the price also increases.
need of many countries
The F-35 program is one of the largest and most complex aerospace programs in the world. There has been criticism over cost overruns, delays, and technical challenges during development. Additionally, its adoption by multiple countries, large volumes of deliveries, and continuous upgrades also show that 5th generation stealth, sensor fusion, and network centric operations are at the heart of today’s air power.
Watching the live demo of air to air refueling of F 35 during Sydney-Canberra flight is not just a sight, but a symbol of the changing dimensions of India Australia defense cooperation. This is a sign of inter-operability, joint mission readiness and trust. The F 35’s 5th generation capabilities – stealth, sensor fusion, network centric warfare, make it a force multiplier for modern air power.
Lockheed Martin’s leadership of the multinational industrial structure and growing customer base indicate that this platform will remain a central pillar of not only the US but also the allies’ air strategies for years to come. There are practical questions regarding cost and support ecosystem, but the mission effectiveness and inter-operability that the F 35 provides is what gives it a unique place in the 21st century air combat equation.
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