Bengaluru. Aero India 2025, to be held at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru is one of Asia’s major aerospace and defence exhibitions, drawing military officials, defence companies, and aviation enthusiasts from across the globe.
The event is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14. The focus of the 15th edition of Aero India will be on forging new partnerships and exploring ways to fast-track indigenisation in the aerospace sector.
“#AeroIndia2025 will showcase the future of airpower with advanced technology, spectacular aerial displays and global aerospace innovations,” the defence minister’s office wrote on X on Wednesday (February 5).
The biennial airshow’s last edition in 2023 attracted over seven lakh visitors, dignitaries from 98 countries and 809 exhibitors, including businesses, investors, start-ups and MSMEs. More than 250 partnerships and technology transfers worth ₹75,000 crore were witnessed at the time, the defence ministry earlier said.
Planes to be showcased
This year it was expected that both the American F-35 and the Russian Su-57 will be on display, besides giving an aerial display. However, as per the latest reports the F-35 will be featured as a static display and flyby demonstration, as its Demo Team is not coming to Bengaluru. The news has saddened the aero enthusiasts in the country, and the F-35 Demo Team’s absence means spectators will miss out on the thrilling aerobatic manoeuvres that demonstrate the aircraft’s agility, speed, and stunts.
This year it was expected that both the American F-35 and the Russian Su-57 will be on display, besides giving an aerial display. However, as per the latest reports the F-35 will be featured as a static display and flyby demonstration, as its Demo Team is not coming to Bengaluru
This is not the first time the F-35 will be arriving in India. The advanced fighter jet, developed by American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, made its debut at the previous Aero India event in 2023.
However, the flyby demonstrations will still provide a glimpse of the ‘cutting edge’ fighter in flight. At the same time, the static display will allow visitors a closer look at its cutting-edge design, features, and possibly advanced weaponry.
Further, the confirmation of the F-35’s presence ensures that the US remains a key participant in the showcase of airpower and defense technology.
Russian Su-57 vs US F-35
In addition to the highly anticipated F-35 Lightning II, the 15th edition of Aero India is set to witness the debut of the Russian Sukhoi Su-57, marking its first appearance in the Indian airspace.
Unlike the F-35, which is not slated to perform thrilling aerial manoeuvres, the Su-57 Felon will showcase its agility with high-energy stunts over the Air Force station.
India has a unique and significant historical connection with the Su-57 Felon. In 2007, India entered into an agreement to co-develop the aircraft with Russia. However, this partnership was abandoned in 2018.
The inclusion of both US and Russian stealth fighter jets at Aero India makes the event an unparalleled platform for military aviation enthusiasts. This unique experience is hard to replicate elsewhere, particularly given the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine.
Fifth-generation fighters, such as the Su-57 and F-35, represent the pinnacle of modern aviation, boasting cutting-edge features like stealth, super-cruise capabilities, and exceptional manoeuvrability.
These jets also offer advanced precision strike capabilities, superior speed, agility, and heightened situational awareness, which set them apart from earlier-generation aircraft. The Su-57 is a twin-engine fighter, while the F-35 is powered by a single engine, each with unique design attributes.
The presence of these fighter jets has attracted considerable attention in Indian media. This fascination is fuelled by the ongoing challenges facing the Indian Air Force, including its aging fleet and the looming possibility that neighbouring Pakistan may acquire Chinese stealth fighters
The presence of these fighter jets has attracted considerable attention in Indian media. This fascination is fuelled by the ongoing challenges facing the Indian Air Force, including its aging fleet and the looming possibility that neighbouring Pakistan may acquire Chinese stealth fighters.
Such developments could possibly prompt India to make a critical decision in the near future – whether to procure the F-35 or the Su-57 – though doing so would require India to navigate complex geopolitical relationships carefully.
Meanwhile, India is currently in the design and development phase of its fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). However, the progress of this program has been slow.
Meanwhile, the IAF is looking for other aircraft options, such as a new transport aircraft in the 18 to 30-tonne cargo carrying capacity to meet its growing airlift needs
In addition to the Su-57, there are rumours that a full-scale mock-up of the Russian Su-75 Checkmate, still in the developmental phase, might make an appearance at the airshow.
Meanwhile, the IAF is looking for other aircraft options, such as a new transport aircraft in the 18 to 30-tonne cargo carrying capacity to meet its growing airlift needs.
Brazilian plane maker Embraer on Wednesday last week, announced that it will showcase its KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft at Aero India, the development brings into focus the Indian Air Force’s plans to buy up to 80 medium transport aircraft (MTA).
Embraer and Mahindra have signed a memorandum of understanding to bid for the medium transport aircraft (MTA) order.
The two other players vying for the MTA order are US aerospace firm Lockheed Martin with its C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and European Airbus Defence and Space with its A-400M. While the C-130J is already in service with the IAF, the A-400M will also be on display at the airshow.
The three-cornered contest to equip IAF with 40 to 80 aircraft is in line with the government’s Make in India initiative to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector. The IAF is looking for a new transport aircraft in the 18 to 30-tonne cargo carrying capacity to meet its growing airlift needs.
Brazilian plane maker Embraer on Wednesday last week, announced that it will showcase its KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft at Aero India, the development brings into focus the Indian Air Force’s plans to buy up to 80 medium transport aircraft
The IAF currently operates 12 C-130J aircraft, while Airbus is jointly executing a ₹21,935-crore project with TASL to equip the air force with 56 C-295 aircraft to modernise its transport fleet. In the defence sector, Embraer has so far supplied eight jets to India for VVIP travel and use as airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Meanwhile, Remi Maillard, Airbus India and South Asia chief, has said that India is the rising star of global aerospace, Air traffic is booming in India, even though only a tiny fraction of its people flies each year, and manufacturers are seeking lucrative deals at the flagship Aero India exhibition from Monday, Maillard further said.
Reportedly, The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will also hold its annual general meeting in June in New Delhi, the capital of the world’s fifth-largest economy, another clear sign of India’s market punch.
– The writer is a senior journalist and media consultant. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda.
