Trump announces F-35 fighter jet sale to India, enhancing military ties

US President Donald Trump announced the sale of F-35 fighter jets to India, allowing the country to join a select group of nations with these advanced stealth aircraft. This deal will significantly boost military sales to India. The F-35 Lightning II, developed by Lockheed Martin, features advanced stealth and combat capabilities. It comes in three variants: F-35A for conventional takeoff, F-35B for short takeoff and vertical landing, and F-35C for carrier operations. The F-35 program is one of the most expensive military projects, with total costs exceeding $1.7 trillion. Individual jets range from $80 million to $115 million, and operating costs are about $36,000 per flight hour.