Has The Su-57's Taking To The Skies Forced The U.S. To Make A Last-Minute Decision To Fly The F-35 Jet At Aero India?
A Russian Su-57 Felon next-generation fighter sharing the tarmac with a
U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighter is a truly unusual sight, and it has quickly
become a signature image of the Aero India 2025 international Air Show.
Earlier, it was reported that the U.S. Air Force had abruptly pulled its
planned flight demos for both the F-35 and F-16 at the Air Show.
But in a surprise twist, the U.S. Air Force flew the F-35 at the Air Show,
fuelling speculation about why the U.S. decided to take the F-35 to the skies, according to a report by Indian news media Indian Express.
The Defence Ministry had said in a statement that: “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 F-35's strengths lie in its stealth capabilities and ability to integrate
into networked warfare environments, but it is often criticised for its
kinematic performance. In contrast, the Su-57 is a formidable opponent in
dogfights, utilizing powerful 3D thrust-vectoring engines to execute
impressive low-speed manoeuvres. With planned engine upgrades for future
models, the Su-57 aims to improve its supercruise performance, narrowing the
performance gap with Western fighters.
In close-range combat scenarios, NATO exercises suggest that fourth-generation
fighters with high manoeuvrability, such as the F-16 and F/A-18, maintain an
edge over the F-35.
NATO combat training exercises and simulated dogfights indicate that the F-35
is outperformed in visual range engagements by highly manoeuvrable
fourth-generation fighters like the F-16 and F/A-18. Despite the F-35's
advanced technology, NATO's simulated dogfights and combat training exercises
reveal that highly manoeuvrable fourth-generation fighters such as the F-16
and F/A-18 are superior in visual-range engagements.
While the F-35 possesses many advantages, NATO exercises have demonstrated
that it cannot outperform the F-16 and F/A-18 in visual-range dogfights due to
their superior manoeuvrability. The F-35 may struggle against more agile
fourth-generation fighters like the F-16 and F/A-18 in a dogfight, according
to simulated combat training exercises held by NATO allies.
Comparative Analysis
| Feature | Sukhoi Su-57 (Russia) | Lockheed Martin F-35 (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Air superiority, multirole, ground attack | Multirole, stealth attack, intelligence |
| Length | 19.8 meters (65 feet) | 15.7 meters (51.4 feet) |
| Wingspan | 14.1 meters (46.3 feet) | 10.7 meters (35 feet) |
| Maximum Speed | Mach 2.0+ (2,450 km/h) | Mach 1.6 (1,930 km/h) |
| Engines | 2 × Saturn izdeliye 30 (or AL-41F1) | 1 × Pratt & Whitney F135 |
| Stealth Design | Radar-absorbing materials, internal weapons bays, faceted airframe | Radar-absorbing materials, embedded sensors, minimal radar cross-section |
| Thrust Vectoring | Yes (3D vectoring, extreme agility) | No |
| Combat Range | ~3,500 km (without refueling) | ~2,200 km (F-35A) |
| Radar & Sensors | N036 Byelka AESA radar, L-band radar, infrared search and track (IRST) | AN/APG-81 AESA radar, Distributed Aperture System (DAS), Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) |
| Stealth Capabilities | Lower stealth profile than F-35, optimized for reduced detection | Low radar cross-section (RCS), advanced passive detection |
| Networking & Data Fusion | Limited compared to F-35, but features sensor fusion | Advanced data fusion, real-time network-centric warfare capabilities |
| Estimated Cost | ~$35–40 million per unit (Su-57E export) | ~$80–100 million per unit (F-35A) |
The Aero India 2025 air show in Bangalore featured the first-ever joint
appearance of the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning-II fighter
jets. According to the Ministry of Defence, the inclusion of both aircraft
underscores India's importance as a hub for international defence and
aerospace collaboration and provides a valuable comparison of Eastern and
Western fifth-generation fighter technology.
The appearance of the Su-57 marked its debut at Aero India, while the F-35,
manufactured by Lockheed Martin, had been showcased at previous editions.
Both aircraft performed aerial displays, demonstrating their capabilities. The
Su-57, piloted by Russian test pilot Sergey Bogdan, showcased its
manoeuvrability and agility. The F-35 was flown by Major Justin ‘Scout’.
Described as Russia's premier stealth multi-role fighter, designed for air
superiority and strike capabilities. It features advanced avionics,
supercruise capability, and stealth technology. The Su-57 is equipped with the
N036 Byelka radar and Irbis-E infrared search and track system, and its
aero-engines provide thrust vectoring for exceptional agility.
Lockheed Martin's fifth-generation fighter integrates advanced stealth,
situational awareness, and networked combat capabilities.
The presence of both the Su-57 and F-35 at Aero India 2025 allowed experts and
enthusiasts to witness these state-of-the-art warplanes and compare their
capabilities.
Conclusion
The presence of both the Russian Su-57 and the U.S. F-35 Lightning II at
Aero India 2025 is a significant event. The US deciding to fly the F-35
though not exactly a forced reaction, but more of a competitive opportunity
to outclass the Russian stealth jet.
Aero India 2025 marks the first time that the Su-57 and F-35, both advanced
fifth-generation stealth fighters, are present at the same event in India.
Both aircraft are vying for India's attention as the country seeks to bridge
its fifth-generation fighter gap. The U.S. is also aiming to counter
Russia's long-standing dominance in India's defence market.
IDN
