I find this hard to believe. Sounds like a twofer. Or threefer.
- U.S. gets production partner for F-35 => reduced unit costs
- India gets in line for eventual delivery of F-35's, but w/ priority below Navy, Marines (early adopters)
- U.S. screws up Russian plans to bring in India as codeveloper (and financier) of their fifth-generation design(s)
- Offering a fifth-generation fighter "down the road" doesn't compete with the fourth-generation deal now approaching fruition, but instead nudges India in their direction
- Offer dovetails with other U.S. efforts to bring forward a multilateral counterweight to disintegrating Pakistan, expansionist China
It looks like Team Blue will consist of India, Australia, the U.S., a rather reluctant Japan, and perhaps one other player from the "B" list, such as Malaysia or New Zealand.