Aero India 2025 takes off: Russian Su-57 and American F-35 face off in Bengaluru

The 15th edition Aero India started off on an exciting note on Monday, February 10, with American and Russian stealth fighters coming face-to-face for the first time in history.

Aero India, considered to be Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on Monday.

The exhibition this time has a broad theme, 'The Runway to a Billion Opportunities', which will run for five days, from February 10 to February 14. The event will showcase India’s aerial prowess and indigenous cutting-edge innovations alongside state-of-the-art products of global aerospace companies, PTI reported quoting officials.

The event is serving as a stage to foster international collaborations to fast-track the indigenisation process, thereby providing a thrust to the union government's resolve of making the country Viksit Bharat by 2047, the officials said.

American and Russian stealth fighters

The Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II are being displayed together at the 15th edition of Aero India in Bengaluru.

"For the first time in history, Aero India 2025 will witness the participation of two of the world's most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft—the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II," the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The ministry added that this is a milestone in global defence collaboration and technological advancement as it offers aviation enthusiasts an unparalleled opportunity to witness many state-of-the-art warplanes.

Russia's premier stealth multi-role fighter, designed for robust air superiority and strike capabilities and America’s -35 Lightning II fighter aircraft, which is, as per the ministry, the most widely-deployed fifth-generation fighter that offers unprecedented situational awareness and networked combat capabilities and advanced stealth, are at display at the event.

This makes India a key hub for international defence and aerospace collaboration, the defence ministry emphasised.

Hindustan Aeronautics’s Light Utility Helicopter

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is showcasing its indigenous products and technologies at the exhibition.

"HAL's indigenously designed and developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) will be at the centre stage," PTI quoted a company official on Sunday.

HAL is all set to display many products at its indoor pavilion (HALL-E) including LUH, Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT)-40 Simulator, and scaled models of LCA Mk1A fighter.

"Various innovative products conceived and developed by HAL R&D Divisions in the area of avionics, mechanical systems, engines and aerospace for manned and unmanned aircraft will also be the highlight at HAL stall," said D K Sunil, CMD, HAL in a press release.

At the exhibition in Bengaluru on Monday, HAL renamed its flagship jet training aircraft, Hindustan Jet Trainer, HJT-36, as ‘Yashas’ following several modifications.

"The large-scale changes to the baseline intermediate training platform have led to significant upheaval in its capabilities and hence provided an opportunity for a new name to be given in accordance with the aircraft's continued relevance as a training system for modern military aviation. In light of this, HJT-36 is named Yashas," HAL’s CMD Sunil said at the event.

More about Aero India

The event spanning five days will have 3 business days, February 10 to 12, and February 13 & 14 are set as public days for people to visit the event.

The exhibition has been organised in a total area of over 42,000 sq m with a participation of over 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies.

This edition is set to be the biggest-ever Aero India exhibition.

"Defence ministers or representatives from about 30 countries have come to participate in this event. The presence of Air Chiefs and Secretaries from 43 countries further highlights the significance of this event, not just for India, but for the entire international defence community," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday, February 9.