Asia’s largest air show, Aero India, commenced today at Yelahanka Air Base in Bengaluru, marking the beginning of its 15th edition. This year’s event is particularly special as it showcases a rare sight—American and Russian stealth fighters appearing together in one frame.
The show features the Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet alongside the American F-35 Lightning II, widely regarded as the most advanced fifth-generation fighter. Aviation enthusiasts are in for a visual spectacle, while experts see this as a “significant milestone” in global defence collaboration.
Aero India
The Su-57 and F-35 will participate in the Daily Aerial Display for all four days of Aero India.
A video of the Su-57 ‘Felon’ taking off from Yelahanka has now gone viral. In the clip, the pilot executes a stunning maneuver—taking off, performing a vertical climb, and then completing a full circular loop, an aerobatic move where the aircraft ascends vertically, forms a complete circle, and returns to flight level.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: Su-57 from Russia performs manoeuvres at #AeroIndia2025, enthralling the onlookers. pic.twitter.com/YpGfM88164
— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2025
A viral picture capturing both aircraft on the tarmac has sparked excitement, with users remarking that such a sight—American and Russian stealth fighters in one frame—could only happen in India. The image also shows the respective fighter jet crews looking at each other and snapping pictures of the aircraft.
The flying display will feature the two fighter jets along with the American B-1B Lancer, a supersonic strategic bomber.
A video shared by Vayu Aerospace Review, an aerospace and defense trade magazine, shows the F-35 taking off just 10 minutes after the Su-57 ‘Felon’ lifted off.
Just a normal day at Aero India….
10 minutes ago, it was the Su-57…and now the F-35💕🔥💕🔥
Just how lucky are we attending this spectacle!✌️✌️✌️ pic.twitter.com/5CJbhS47EE
— Vayu Aerospace Review (@ReviewVayu) February 10, 2025
The Russian pilot of the Su-57 captured a selfie from the cockpit, offering a stunning view of Yelahanka Air Base from the skies aboard the fifth-generation fighter jet.
Yelahanka runway as viewed from the cockpit of Su-57. Photo via UAC TC pic.twitter.com/RnRulfRq2Q
— Vijainder K Thakur (@vkthakur) February 9, 2025
AMCA
For the first time, a full-scale 1:1 model of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) will be showcased at the India Pavilion during the air show.
Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the maker of the LCA Tejas, the AMCA is expected to be a single-seater, twin-engine, fifth-generation fighter jet.
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is a Medium Weight category (all-up weight 25 Ton class), Multi-Role, Twin Engine 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Aircraft conceptualized and designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for use of the Indian Air Force (IAF). AMCA is… pic.twitter.com/jSCV3gWjup
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2025
Before developing the AMCA, HAL will first work on the LCA Tejas Mark 2. In March last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the project for the design and development of the AMCA. According to ANI, mass production of the aircraft is expected to begin by 2035.
Alongside the AMCA, a prototype of the HAL CATS Warrior, a low-observable unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), is also on display. CATS, short for Combat Air Teaming System, has been developed through a public-private partnership between HAL and NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT).
Tejas fighter Jet
Yesterday, Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, took a sortie in the Tejas fighter jet, marking the beginning of Aero India 2025.
The IAF chief piloted the flight, with the Army chief describing the experience as the “best moment” of his life.
Historic Sortie in Tejas!
In a landmark moment, CAS, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and COAS, General Upendra Dwivedi, flew a sortie together in the indigenous LCA Tejas on 09 Feb 25 at Yelahanka, Bengaluru.
A testament to synergy, jointmanship and Atmanirbharta,… pic.twitter.com/zudzwOMkuX— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) February 9, 2025
“It was the best moment in my life and as you are aware the Air Chief Marshal is my course mate. We have been together since the NDA (National Defence Academy) days. I wish he had met me earlier and I would have changed my option to the Air Force. As I have said earlier, also if I had gone to the Air Force, I would have been a fighter pilot,” General Dwivedi said.
“I must say that from today onwards, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh is my guru because he made me do a lot of roles and other activities while in the sky,” he added.
