With a raging all-out war between Russia and Ukraine—a widely reported proxy for the United States-led West—the strategic distance between the US and Russia seems to have percolated right down to the tarmac at the flagship Aero India, Asia's biggest air show, as well.
#WATCH | Bengaluru | 054 Russian Federation Air Force Sukhoi T-50 (Su-57) and US F-35 fighter aircraft at #AeroIndia2025
— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2025
For the first time, advanced fifth-generation aircraft of both Russia and the US are participating in the 15th edition of Asia's top aerospace exhibition,… pic.twitter.com/80CrEFfFMp
While the US fighters including the cutting-edge fifth-generation stealth fighter F-35 and others from the US fleet were parked at the parking bay area towards the left of the airbase, the Russian fifth-generation stealth fighter Su-57 was parked at the extreme right. It was the widest physical distance possible at the Yelahanka air base parking bay.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: Su-57 from Russia performs manoeuvres at #AeroIndia2025, enthralling the onlookers. pic.twitter.com/YpGfM88164
— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2025
After a stellar display by the Su-57 that left the spectators gasping with awe, it was the turn of the F-35 fighter to display its prowess.
#WATCH | Bengaluru | US F-35 fighter aircraft performs manoeuvres at #AeroIndia2025 - the 15th edition of Asia's top aerospace exhibition pic.twitter.com/bVdtWJdm2t
— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2025
While an air show is hardly the best space to wage a battle for optics for fighter aircraft, both countries have tried to outdo each other with their special birds but the general consensus among the spectators seemed to favour the Su-57.
This is the first time for the Su-57 at the Aero India airshow and the second time for the F-35 after 2023.
In what appeared to reveal the strength of Russia-China ties, the SU-57 flew in foreign soil for the first time during the Zhuhai air show (China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition).
While the US is yet to make an open offer to India on F-35, the Russians have offered a collaboration to India to jointly make the Su-57 in India. Such a development would also avoid the US-imposed sanctions on Russia.
While the F-35 is prohibitively costly, India is also undertaking an ‘Atmanirbharta’ or self-reliance approach wherein indigenous capability building of military platforms and equipment is a priority.
Even the rollout of the Tejas light combat aircraft by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is reported to be suffering due to the delay in the supply of aero engines from US-based General Electric.
