Pursuing local stealth fighter plan with firm resolve, says Rajnath

Delegates and business visitors witnessed a scintillating display of two of the most advanced fifth generation fighter aircraft on the inaugural day of Aero India 2025.

At 2.30 p.m. the Russian Su-57, which is making its debut at the airshow, took off from the tarmac of the Air Force Station Yelahanka and for next few minutes Sukhoi’s chief test pilot Sergey Bogdan performed a series of manoeuvres showcasing the unique aerial capabilities of the stealth aircraft.

The Su-57, developed by Sukhoi Design Bureau is Russia’s first operational stealth fighter with supersonic cruising speeds, advanced sensor integration, and a wide range of weapons. It can be recalled that India was part of the joint Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme with Russia before withdrawing in 2018.