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AEROINDIA 2025 (F-35 Vs Su-57): 'Aero India-2025' is starting in Bengaluru on 10 February. Many countries of the world are arriving with their modern weapons. Every time everyone's eyes are on the new aircraft. Last year, for the first time, everyone's eyes were on the American fifth-generation fighter F-35. This time Russia is going to do this. This year, for the first time, Russia will present its fifth-generation fighter jet Sukhoi 57 to India. This year too, America is bringing F-35 to Asia's biggest air show. Now the question arises whether both the arch-rivals are going to compete in the Indian skies. The answer is disappointing. The answer is no.
No competition between Su-57 and F-35
Russia's stealth fighter jet Su-57 (Sukhoi-57) will showcase its specialty for the first time in Aero India. At the same time, America's 5th generation stealth fighter jet F-35 will just stand on the ground and watch it. The Combat Air Command of the American Air Force has released a new schedule. In this schedule, the demo of the -35 has been canceled in Aero India. The special thing is that Lockheed Martin, the company that makes the F-35, has also hinted at this. According to Air Force sources, 2 F-35 stealth fighter jets of America are being included, but so far it is known that they will not participate in the demos. In the year 2023, the F-35 aircraft participated in Aero India and also flew. Russia has already announced the participation of the Russian Sukhoi 57 in Aero India. If sources are to be believed, there will be a demo of Sukhoi 57 but it will not be included in the static display. That is, the Russian SU-57 will not be seen on the tarmac on which the American F-35 will be parked.
India's old relationship with Su-57
Sukhoi-57 may be flying in the skies of India for the first time, but its relationship with India is 2 decades old. In the 2000s, India started working with Russia on the fifth-generation aircraft i.e. FGFA project. But India distanced itself from this project in the year 2018. The reason behind this is said to be the indigenous fifth-category fighter aircraft AMCA project. There are also reports that this project has not been stopped. It is believed that perhaps this project will start again. Sukhoi 57 joined the Russian Air Force in the year 2020 and it also took part in the operation against Ukraine in the year 2022. It can fly at twice the speed of sound. It can carry more than seven and a half tons of weapons at a time. Su-57 manufactured by Russia's Sukhoi company was seen at China's air show in November last year.
Work is in full swing on Indigenous 5th-generation fighters.
The Indian Air Force is working in collaboration with DRDO on a fifth-generation fighter. The government has given the green signal to make 6 prototypes. The prototype will be ready in the next 5 years. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is developing Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The most special thing about this jet will be that it will be the first indigenous twin-engine fighter jet. Its design is such that even enemy radars will not be able to detect it. It will be able to fly continuously for 10 hours. However, India is currently facing the issue of engines. Tejas's program is still pending. In such a situation, it is difficult to say whether India will be able to get the indigenous stealth fighter jet AMCA for the Air Force before 2035.
