14.02.2025 09:31
U.S. President Trump stated that they would pave the way for the sale of F-35 fighter jets to India, despite the fact that India has purchased the S-400 from Russia and has not faced CAATSA sanctions. It is worth recalling that the U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkey and refused to deliver F-35 fighter jets because Turkey acquired the same systems from Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump held a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he hosted at the White House. Noting that they would increase defense cooperation between the two countries, Trump stated, "Starting this year, we will increase our military sales to India by billions of dollars and pave the way for providing F-35 fighter jets."
EXEMPTED FROM SANCTIONS
Despite previously purchasing the S-400 air defense system from Russia, India had been exempted from the relevant U.S. sanctions law known as CAATSA.
DECISION THAT SPARKED ANKARA'S REACTION
The U.S. administration had not imposed CAATSA sanctions on India, stating that it viewed the country as an important element in balancing China in the Southeast Asia region. This move by Washington had drawn the ire of Ankara, which was subjected to these sanctions for acquiring the same systems from Russia.
THEY HAD PURCHASED S-400 FROM MOSCOW
India purchased S-400 air defense systems from Moscow with a $5.8 billion deal made in October 2018, and the first batch was delivered in December 2021.