American F-35, Russian Su-57 Stealth Jets Come Face to Face At Aero India 2025

For the first time ever, the American F-35 fifth generation stealth fighter shared tarmac space with Russia’s most modern fighter, the Su-57 at an air show- The Aero India 2025.

While the Russian Aircraft arrived on Friday, two American F-35 stealth jets touched down on Saturday and parked close to the Russian plane.

This will be the first time that American air force personnel will have a close look at the Su-57, an aircraft that has been at the forefront of battle againt American and Western defenses in Ukraine.

Similarly, Russian experts will get up close with the F-35. Though the American aircraft has participated in many air show events in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, many of them have been barred Russian exhibitors or the Russians have not gone to these shows.

The Russians have come to Aero India hoping to get New Delhi revive an earlier plan to partner Moscow in their fifth-generation fighter project. However, India is itself developing its own fifth-gen fighter- the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft which yet to get off the drawing board. The Su-57 has matured several of its technologies such as radar, flying charactristics, weapons systems and has two engine options.

Most importantly, the Russians claim that the Su-57 has been used extensively in Ukraine and been able to get past Western supplied electronic warfare and air defense systems.

The F-35 currently is not on the table for India as the U.S has made clear on several occasions. Instead, it wants New Delhi to buy its F-21, a version of the F-16 Block 70/72 customised for India.