Bengaluru: Beginning on a novel note, Aero India 2025, for the first time, is witnessing participation from both Russian and US fifth-generation fighter jets.
Even though the US contingent brought along the F-35 aircraft during the previous edition of Aero India, held in 2023, this is the first time the air show is hosting the Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighter.
It is also being said that the F-35 and Su-57 are encountering each other for the first time—a feat possible only in India, given the country’s balancing act in engaging with the two rival superpowers.
Even as the jets belong to the same generation and are often seen as being in the same league, the major difference is that the F-35 is a single-engine jet, while the Su-57 is a dual-engine fighter.
Both the US and Russia are vying for India’s attention to sell their most advanced generation of fighters to the country. By now, it is well known that India’s fighter squadron strength is dwindling, and India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter, known as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is under development, will take time.
Fifth-generation aircraft possess the most advanced capabilities, including stealth, supercruise, and super-manoeuvrability. Moreover, precision strike capability, speed, agility, and high situational awareness are other key features of fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Russia has been forthcoming about co-developing the Su-57 fighter jet with India.
As reported by ThePrint, the Russians are keen on collaborating with India on the fighter. They have, in fact, even offered to co-produce the jet in India. This is the second time Russia has made such an offer to India. In fact, in 2007, India and Russia signed an agreement to jointly develop the fighter. However, India walked out of the deal in 2018. Only days ahead of Aero India 2025, Russia released a video of the fighter jet featuring playback music composed with Indian instruments—a subtle gesture aimed at catching India’s attention.
The US has also offered the F-35 jet to India; however, no formal discussions regarding this have taken place.
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Features of the 2 aircraft
Both the US and Russian fighters are multi-role aircraft. While the F-35s are used by the US and several other partner countries, the Su-57 is in service only with the Russian forces. Hence, while the Su-57 boasts some enviable capabilities, it is far less proven than its US counterpart.
If reports are to be believed, the F-35’s superior stealth and sensor fusion give it a significant advantage in combat, while others argue that the Su-57’s manoeuvrability and lower cost make it a more versatile and cost-effective option.
The Su-57 is powered by a high-performance engine called the AL-51F1. Only last year, the new engines were tested for the first time in Russia. The AL-51F1 is said to be a significant upgrade from the Su-57’s original engine, the AL-41F1.
The new engine reportedly provides greater thrust, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced stealth characteristics. Due to this upgrade, the Su-57 can now reach a cruising speed of Mach 2.
With the induction of the fifth-generation engine, the Su-57 has gained supercruise capability—the ability of fighters to fly at supersonic speeds without using afterburners—enabling them to conserve fuel and extend range. The fighter has also gained enhanced manoeuvrability and improved stealth, which helps reduce its heat signature, making it harder to detect. Reports indicate that the revamped fighter has been rebranded as the Su-57M, with the “M” signifying its modification year.
The F-35, on the other hand, uses the F135 low-observable signature engine. This engine is developed from the F119 engine used by the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, according to reports. Currently, the F-35 has a top speed of Mach 1.6.
The F-35 is scheduled for an Engine Core Upgrade to enhance the original F135’s performance. To this end, in September 2024, Pratt & Whitney secured a $1.3 billion contract for the programme.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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