Washington and Moscow are competing to sell their F-35 and Su-57 fighter jets to the Indian Air Force.

    India’s annual airshow and aviation exhibition is in full swing. The annual event began on February 10 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru and is expected to include aerial demonstrations from multiple nations. Notably, the American-made F-35A Lightning II, B-1B Lancer bomber, and F-16 Fighting Falcon will all make an appearance at the air show. Perhaps more significant, the F-35 and its Russian counterpart the Su-57 were seen together for the first time ever during the event. Since the Indian Air Force is actively seeking a new fighter fleet, both Moscow and Washington are presenting their respective options hoping to secure what would be a major contract.

    The Indian Ministry of Defense published a statement at the beginning of the show last week, detailing how “Aero India 2025 will provide a rare side-by-side comparison of Eastern and Western fifth-generation fighter technology, offering defense analysts, military personnel, and aviation enthusiasts valuable insights into their respective capabilities.” While the Kremlin certainly aims to secure the bid for India’s newest fighter, issues with the Su-57 have been prevalent in the fighter’s short history. In fact, the NATO-designated “Felon” has not received any confirmed export orders to date.

1.     An Overview of the Su-57 Felon

    Russia’s Su-57 fighter can be linked back to a Soviet Cold War-era program designed to create a next-generation fighter better equipped to counter America’s arsenal. The I-90 program specifically set out to develop a successor to the MiG-29 and Su-27 platforms, which were aging. The I-90, however, was severely delayed following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia would not field its first fifth-generation fighter until decades later in 2020.

    While the Felon is certainly an improvement over its Cold War-era predecessors, the platform is not as stealthy as its American-made F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II counterparts. The fighter’s canards are positioned ahead of the primary wings, which can enlarge its radar cross-section, making it less challenging for adversarial systems to detect.

    While the Felon is not that stealthy, it is a fast and agile platform. The initial jets that made it through the production pipeline were fitted with two Saturn/Rybinsk AL-31F1 after-burning turbofan engines which could produce a thrust rating of nearly 19,850 pounds each. This engine source was eventually replaced with the Izdeliye 30, which can produce an even greater thrust.

1.     Why the F-35 Is Superior

    Other than stealth, the Lightning II platform takes the cake when compared to the Su-57 in several areas. Unlike the Russian jet, the F-35 has been produced in large numbers and remains one of the most coveted tactical airframes across the globe. While both the Lightning II and Felon retain stealth properties, the F-35’s superiority is emphasized by its advanced computing, weapons range, mission systems, and long-range, high-resolution sensors.

    While the American-made Lightning II appears to be the clear choice, it remains unclear if India will procure either the U.S. or Russian-made fifth-generation platforms. Regardless, aviation buffs appreciate the chance to witness both platforms in the same place for the first time.