Our Bureau
Bengaluru
Aero India 2025, Asia’s premier aerospace exhibition, commenced on February 10, and will continue until February 14 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. This year’s event is particularly notable as it hosts the first-ever face-off between the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II, two of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Aero India 2025 is set to be the largest edition to date, covering over 42,000 square meters and featuring more than 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies. The event will be open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with morning and afternoon air shows.
The participation of Su-57 and F-35 marks a significant milestone in global defense collaboration and technological advancement. Both aircraft represent the pinnacle of fifth-generation fighter technology, incorporating stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and networked combat systems.
The Russian Su-57 is a stealth multi-role fighter with advanced avionics and super cruise capability. A video of the Su-57 taking off from Yelahanka and performing a vertical climb followed by a full circular loop has gone viral.
The American F-35 Lightning II is a stealthy, supersonic, multirole fighter designed to meet the requirements of the United States and allied defense forces worldwide. It integrates cutting-edge stealth, situational awareness, and networked combat capabilities.
This year’s theme, “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,” underscores the event’s role in fostering international defense and aerospace collaboration. The presence of both the Su-57 and F-35 highlights India’s position as a key hub for such collaborations.
The gathering is particularly significant for India, which once pursued a joint fifth-generation fighter aircraft program with Russia. A formal agreement was signed in 2010, with India investing $300 million before withdrawing in 2018 due to disagreements over technology transfer terms.
Presence of Su-57 and F-35 together in an air show just confirms the status of ‘Aero India’ as the biggest-ever ‘Aero India’ till date.
