By N. C. Bipindra
Bengaluru (Karnataka): India’s search for a fifth-generation fighter aircraft for its air force doesn’t stop at its indigenous effort, but goes beyond to Russian Su-57 and American F-35, both of which are flying at Asia’s largest air show AeroIndia here from Feb. 10 to 14, 2025.
“All options are open to us. We will ensure the armed forces’ preparedness in every way possible,” said India’s Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar to a specific question on India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the significance of the participation of the competing fifth generation fighter aircraft Su-57 and F-35 in AeroIndia for the first time.
However, Sanjeev Kumar emphasised that the Indian government will continue to push for local design, development, and manufacture of its arms needs. This would include the AMCA programme.
This statement is significant given India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s insistence on indigenous weapons and military systems, and the need for even foreign vendors to pursue the ‘Make in India‘ initiative to boost the domestic defence industrial complex.
India’s national budget presented to parliament on Feb. 1, 2025, allocated ~US$21 billion in FY26 for weapons and military systems purchases, of which ~US$13 billion would be sourced from domestic firms.
For the first time in AeroIndia’s history, both Russian Su-57 and American F-35 Lightning II are part of the flying display at the air show this edition.
“It marks a milestone in global defence collaboration and technological advancement, offering aviation enthusiasts and defence experts an unparalleled prospect to witness these state-of-the-art warplanes, the Ministry of Defence said in a curtain raiser statement.
Russia’s premier stealth multirole fighter is designed for superior air superiority and strike capabilities. Equipped with advanced avionics, super-cruise capability, and stealth technology, Su-57 is debuting at AeroIndia 2025. Visitors can expect high-speed aerial manoeuvres and tactical demonstrations highlighting the fighter’s agility, stealth, and firepower.
US defence major Lockheed Martin‘s F-35 is the most widely-deployed fifth-generation fighter, integrating advanced stealth, unparalleled situational awareness, and networked combat capabilities. Its presence at AeroIndia 2025 will enable visitors to witness the flagship combat jet of the US Air Force.
India’s AMCA, according to previous indication from the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials, is still in its drawing board stage and is not likely to see production at least for another 10 years, when it would get designed, tested and certified for production and induction in to the Indian Air Force.
Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport‘s Director General Alexander Mikheev was quoted by Sputnik India as saying India has been offered a comprehensive partnership under the Su-57E project, which includes local manufacturing capabilities.
“Our proposals include the supply of assembled aircraft, the organisation of their joint production in India, and assistance in developing an Indian fifth-generation fighter,” Mikheev said.
However, the new US administration of President Donald Trump or his predecessor Joe Biden‘s has never explicitly stated a possible export of F-35 to India yet, and their pronouncements are eagerly awaited.
The fifth-generation fighter aircraft bid by India is seen as a catch-up with Communist China, which demonstrated its two sixth-generation combat jets J-36 and J-x jets with flights recently.
The participation of both the Su-57 and F-35 highlights India’s position as a key hub for international defence and aerospace collaboration, according to the Indian Ministry of Defence.
AeroIndia 2025 will provide a rare side-by-side comparison of Eastern and Western fifth-generation fighter technology, offering defence analysts, military personnel, and aviation enthusiasts valuable insights into their respective capabilities.
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