Russian Su-57 Jet to Blaze Skies at Aero India 2025, American F35 turns tail

From February 10 to 14, 2025, Aero India show at the Yelahanka air base is set to blaze the skies of Bangalore.
This prestigious air show will showcase a variety of military and civilian aircraft, along with cutting-edge aerospace and defence technologies.
The show serves as a vital platform for showcasing military innovations and fostering collaborations between global defence manufacturers and Indian enterprises.
The event is expected to attract significant attention from aviation enthusiasts and industry leaders alike, offering opportunities for networking and business development within the aerospace sector.
The first three days (February 10-12) are exclusive to business visitors. The last two days (February 13-14) will be open to the general public.
The Russian Su-57 stealth fighter jet will make its debut at this event. The Sukhoi Su-57 is a fifth-generation fighter jet and incorporates advanced stealth technologies aimed at minimizing its radar visibility.
The Su-57 is Russia’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter jet, designed for air superiority and precision ground strikes. It features advanced stealth capabilities, superior manoeuvrability, and cutting-edge avionics.
“The Su-57 can be considered the most tested fifth-generation fighter in real combat conditions today,” said ROSTEC, the parent company of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) which manufactures the Su-57.

“Today, the Su-57 successfully carries out combat missions during the Special Military Operation (in Ukraine). The fighter demonstrated its effectiveness in hitting air and ground targets, including precision strikes from long distances.
It is used around the clock, in any weather conditions and in a complex jamming environment,” ROSTEC added.The Su-57’s design avoids sharp edges and right angles, which helps in reducing radar cross-section (RCS).
The fuselage and wings are shaped to have smooth contours and consistent angles, which scatter radar waves rather than reflecting them directly back to the source.
To maintain a low profile, the Su-57 carries its weapons in internal bays. This design choice not only preserves its aerodynamic efficiency but also minimizes external radar signatures.
The aircraft is coated with materials that absorb radar waves, further decreasing its detectability. These materials are strategically applied to various surfaces of the aircraft, including the engine inlets, which are designed to obscure engine components from radar detection.
The cockpit features a specialized glass developed by ONPP “Technology” that employs a metal-optical coating. This coating significantly reduces radar visibility and protects onboard electronics from ultraviolet radiation.
The Su-57 is equipped with thrust-vectoring engines that enhance its manoeuvrability, allowing it to perform complex aerial manoeuvres while maintaining stealth characteristics.
This capability is complemented by a high degree of static instability designed into the aircraft’s structure.Interestingly, while the Su-57 takes centre stage, the American F-35, another prominent fifth-generation fighter, will be absent from this year’s show. This absence raises questions about the two fighters.
Though the Americans have officially cancelled the planned demonstrations of their latest F-35 and obsolete F-16 fighter jets at Aero India 2025.
This decision marks a significant shift as the USAF has historically participated in this biennial aerospace exhibition, which is a key platform for showcasing military capabilities and fostering international defence partnerships.
The explaination given by United States Air Force (USAF) is that it is currently investigating the crash of an F-35A fighter jet that occurred on January 28, 2025, at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.
The incident took place during a training mission, with the pilot successfully ejecting and reported to be in stable condition after being transported to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation136.
The crash resulted in significant damage to the aircraft, and initial reports indicate that the pilot experienced an in-flight malfunction prior to the incident.
However it seems they are not keen on competing with SU57 and they have heard of BEL displaying its anti stealth radars. This has really spooked the USAAF.
The absence of the F-35 is particularly noteworthy given its prominence at Aero India 2023, where it showcased its capabilities in a live demonstration. At that time SU57 was missing.
Though India is now focusing on its 5th generation AMCA, as gap filler to bolster squadron strength, India may go in for 3 to 6 squadrons of SU57MKI.
With the Russian Su-57 set to make its debut at Aero India 2025, India’s defence policymakers may increasingly consider alternative partnerships and procurement strategies.
The cancellation of F35 also raises questions about the future of US-India defence relations.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the US withdrawal, Aero India 2025 is expected to remain a significant event, featuring various other aerial displays and technological showcases from global defence manufacturers.