Aero India 2025: Fifth-generation fighter jets Su-57, F-35 to share same airstrip for the first time
Bengaluru: The 15th edition of the biennial Aero India was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka on Monday. The event, covering over 42,000 sq m, will see the participation of over 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies, making it the biggest edition to date.
For the first time, Russia’s Su-57 Felon and the US F-35 Lightning II, both advanced fifth-generation fighter jets, will share the same airstrip at the event.
Su-57 Felon
Developed by Sukhoi, the Su-57 is Russia’s premier stealth multirole fighter, designed for air superiority and strike missions. It features advanced avionics, supercruise capability, and stealth technology. The aircraft, which entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in December 2020, is expected to replace the MiG-29 and Su-27.
F-35 Lightning II
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 Lightning II is a widely deployed fifth-generation fighter with advanced stealth, situational awareness, and networked combat capabilities. It is a multirole combat aircraft designed for air superiority, strike missions, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Other Aircraft Participating in Aero India 2025
From the United States:
- B-1B Lancer
- KC-135 Stratotanker
Indigenous Aircraft:
- LCA MK 1A
- Hansa-NG (pilot trainer)
- Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT)
- HTT-40 (pilot trainer)
- Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)
- Su-30 MKI
Defence Minister highlights India's growth in aerospace, defence
At the curtain-raiser event in Bengaluru on Sunday, Rajnath Singh described the participation of over 90 countries as a sign of growing global confidence in India’s defence capabilities. He stated that India's defence production, which crossed ₹1.27 lakh crore, is expected to surpass ₹1.60 lakh crore by 2025-26. Defence exports, which reached ₹21,000 crore, are projected to exceed ₹30,000 crore.
Aero India is a biennial event organised by the Defence Exhibition Organisation under the Ministry of Defence.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
