Aero India 2025: India Showcases AMCA, US and Russian Stealth Fighters Share the Sky for the First Time

Aero India 2025 showcases India’s AMCA fifth-generation fighter jet, with its prototype expected by 2027 and production by 2036. The event marks a historic moment as Russia’s Su-57 and the U.S. F-35 perform together for the first time. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasizes global unity, international defense collaboration, and India’s growing role in aerospace.

CONTENTS:

• India Showcases AMCA Fighter Jet at Aero India 2025, Prototype Expected by 2027
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Calls for Global Unity at Aero India 2025 Inauguration
• Aero India 2025: US and Russian Stealth Fighters Share the Sky for the First Time

Aero India 2025: India Showcases AMCA, US and Russian Stealth Fighters Share the Sky for the First Time

India Showcases AMCA Fighter Jet at Aero India 2025, Prototype Expected by 2027

Aero India 2025: India Showcases AMCA India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter jet, has taken center stage at Aero India 2025. The event, inaugurated by the Defence Minister, features a full-scale (1:1) prototype of the AMCA at the Indian Pavilion. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has assured that the project is progressing as per the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) sanctions, with prototype development on track.

Deputy Project Director H Balaji confirmed that the detailed design phase is complete, and material procurement and manufacturing planning are underway. With the exception of the ejection seat and engines, all components are indigenously sourced. The prototype is expected to be completed by 2027, with production and deliveries slated to begin by 2036.

Aero India 2025 has also drawn attention to other fifth-generation fighters, including the U.S. F-35 and Russia’s Su-57E. The Russian jet, making its first appearance at the event, showcased its aerial capabilities and has been offered to India with options for joint production and collaboration on the AMCA program.

While the AMCA will initially use U.S.-supplied F414 engines, officials assert that there are no anticipated setbacks in their integration. The design was handed over to a private aerospace firm in 2019, and the first flight is expected in 2028. DRDO has emphasized that advanced technologies are being integrated concurrently to ensure the aircraft meets global combat standards.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Calls for Global Unity at Aero India 2025 Inauguration

Aero India 2025: India Showcases AMCA At Aero India 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for global unity in addressing emerging challenges and uncertainties. Speaking at the event’s inauguration on February 10, Singh emphasized that the airshow serves as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge defence technologies while fostering international cooperation.

“The Aero India event is a convergence of advanced technologies and critical innovations, making it a significant global gathering. It is a space for mutual respect, shared interests, and collective progress. To navigate today’s uncertainties, we must stand together,” Singh stated.

Highlighting India’s commitment to peace and stability, he remarked, “Security and peace are interconnected and go beyond national borders. The presence of representatives from various nations reaffirms our shared vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’” He further stressed that true peace can only be maintained from a position of strength, not helplessness.

Singh underscored India’s historical stance of non-aggression and its role as a stabilizing force. “India has never invaded another nation or engaged in great power rivalries. Our commitment to peace and stability is deeply rooted in our values,” he said.

The Defence Minister also addressed the importance of global partnerships in defence manufacturing and technology. He noted that the strong presence of global defence manufacturers and officials at Aero India 2025 highlights the country’s growing role in the industry. “Collaborating with India benefits all parties involved and contributes to global peace, stability, and economic growth,” Singh added.

He also pointed to the theme of this year’s event, ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,’ saying, “With a population of over a billion, India offers immense potential. This airshow reflects that spirit.”

Singh outlined key objectives of Aero India 2025, including showcasing India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and strengthening strategic ties with friendly nations. “This platform brings together government officials, industry leaders, air force representatives, and defence experts. Beyond transactions, we must focus on industrial collaborations, co-production, and co-development,” he concluded.

Aero India 2025: US and Russian Stealth Fighters Share the Sky for the First Time

Aero India 2025: India Showcases AMCA The 15th edition of Asia’s largest air show, Aero India 2025, has kicked off at Yelahanka Air Base in Bengaluru, offering aviation enthusiasts a rare and historic spectacle. For the first time ever, the Russian Su-57 ‘Felon’ and the American F-35 Lightning II—two of the most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighters—are appearing together in a single frame. This unprecedented event marks a significant moment in global defense collaboration.

‘Only in India’ Moment: Aero India 2025: India Showcases AMCA

Both fighter jets will participate in the Daily Aerial Display throughout the four-day event. A viral video showcases the Su-57 taking off from Yelahanka, performing a breathtaking vertical climb followed by a full circular loop, demonstrating its advanced maneuverability. Social media users have been captivated by images showing the Su-57 and F-35 stationed side by side on the tarmac, with crew members from both nations capturing photos of each other’s aircraft—a moment many described as something that could “only happen in India.”

The aerial display lineup also includes the American B-1B Lancer, a supersonic strategic bomber. A video shared by Vayu Aerospace Review captured the F-35 taking off just minutes after the Su-57, highlighting the back-to-back performances of these cutting-edge fighter jets.

India Showcases Future Air Power: Aero India 2025: India Showcases AMCA

Aero India 2025 is also hosting a 1:1 scale model of India’s upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) at the India Pavilion. Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the AMCA is envisioned as a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The project, cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 2024, is expected to enter mass production by 2035.

In addition to the AMCA, a prototype of HAL’s CATS Warrior, an advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed in collaboration with NewSpace Research and Technologies, is also on display.

Military Leadership Takes to the Skies: Aero India 2025: India Showcases AMCA

Setting the tone for the air show, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi participated in a sortie aboard the indigenous Tejas fighter jet. Describing the experience as the “best moment” of his life, General Dwivedi reflected on his long-standing friendship with the Air Chief, joking that had he flown with Singh earlier, he might have chosen the Air Force over the Army.

Aero India 2025 continues to serve as a vital platform for showcasing cutting-edge aviation technology and fostering international defense collaborations, reinforcing India’s growing role in the global aerospace sector.