Source RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, Russia: The Indian government, in the face of threats from U.S. President Donald Trump against the main countries that buy Russian hydrocarbons, is aware of the potential risks and threats in purchasing “bugged” U.S. F-35 fighters, the export versions of which contain remotely activated software and hardware bugs (malware, back doors) in the onboard radio-electronic equipment (avionics), Igor Korotchenko, director of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT), told RIA Novosti.

"The political and economic pressure of the administration of the 47th US President Donald Trump on India with threats of introducing new sanctions and duties if New Delhi continues to purchase Russian hydrocarbons has caused a sharp negative reaction from the official Indian authorities, which is absolutely legitimate, given that India is a great power," Korotchenko said.

He noted that in such conditions, Trump's pressure on India's decision to purchase U.S. fighters is perceived by New Delhi as a threat to the country's sovereignty. Fifth-generation F-35 fighters pose a real threat to the Indian Air Force, since the U.S. supplies the market with "bugged" export versions of these weapon systems, which can actually be "zeroed out" (switched off) on command from Washington.

"Export versions of American F-35s, supplied both to NATO allies and to other buyers on the foreign market, have software and hardware "bugs" built into the onboard equipment, the remote activation of which can occur at any time by an external electronic signal from the relevant U.S. structures or services," Korotchenko emphasized.

He added that if India acquires F-35 fighters, it has every chance of becoming a hostage in the hands of the U.S. , which can at any moment make these fighters non-functional if their use in specific combat operations or armed conflict with a particular country does not meet the interests and goals of Washington.

Korotchenko noted that in these conditions, India much prefers to continue long-term military-technical cooperation with the Russian Federation. As is known, in the previous period, India implemented a large-scale program for the production of Su-30MKI fighters under a Russian license and acquired the necessary experience and technological potential.

He noted that the main advantage of the Su-57E over its few competitors is its successful experience of participating in combat operations in real armed conflicts with the use of modern Western air attack, air defense and electronic warfare systems.