SOURCE: AFI
The Aero India 2025 Air Show, held from February 10 to February 14, 2025, at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, has drawn significant attention from Chinese media outlets, notably The Global Times. In a mix of critique and strategic analysis, Chinese commentary has framed the event as India’s attempt to assert its international influence and keep pace with China’s rapid advancements in aerospace technology. An article published on February 11, 2025, in The Global Times reflects China’s perception of India’s ambitions, its strategic partnerships, and the broader geopolitical implications of the air show, while subtly underscoring China’s confidence in its own technological superiority.
The Global Times article portrays Aero India 2025 as a deliberate effort by India to showcase its international clout, particularly by inviting the United States and Russia—described as “two mortal enemies”—to participate. The piece states, “India, unwilling to lag behind China, invited the United States and Russia to showcase its strong international influence. To save Modi’s face, the US sent the F-35 Lightning II, while Russia sent the Su-57.” This framing suggests that China views India’s hosting of these global powers as a face-saving exercise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, driven by a desire to project power and relevance on the world stage.
The presence of the F-35 and Su-57, both fifth-generation stealth fighters, is a focal point of Chinese critique. The article contrasts these displays with India’s unveiling of a full-scale model of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), noting that while India showcases a prototype, China already operates two fifth-generation fighters—the Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-35—and has made progress on sixth-generation aircraft. This comparison underscores China’s narrative of technological superiority and positions India as a nation struggling to catch up.
Chinese commentary downplays the participation of the F-35 and Su-57 as genuine support for India, instead framing it as a commercial endeavor by the US and Russia to promote their advanced weaponry. The Global Times suggests that both nations are vying for a share of India’s lucrative arms market, with Russia offering to jointly produce the Su-57E with India, including technology transfer. The article notes, “It is talking about jointly producing Su-57 with India… In other words, Russia flew Su-57 to India in order to win India’s huge military arms market in one fell swoop.”
This interpretation aligns with China’s broader narrative of Western and Russian powers exploiting India’s defense needs for economic gain, rather than fostering a strategic partnership. The article also speculates on India’s procurement decisions, suggesting that New Delhi might favor the Su-57 over the F-35 due to Russia’s favorable terms and India’s reluctance to rely on US-controlled systems. It points out that the F-35’s operational use requires Pentagon approval, a condition that could be unpalatable for India, which aspires to maintain strategic autonomy as a global power.
The Chinese analysis delves into India’s potential procurement choices, presenting a nuanced perspective on the geopolitical and operational implications. It posits that if India opts for the F-35, it risks becoming “the second South Korea,” dependent on US approval for operational use, which could compromise its sovereignty. In contrast, the Su-57, despite being critiqued internationally for its stealth performance, offers greater flexibility through Russia’s willingness to collaborate on production and customization.
The Chinese perspective concludes with a confident assertion of self-reliance, emphasizing that China’s response to India’s aerospace ambitions should be unwavering focus on its own development. The article states, “Whether India buys the F-35 or the Su-57, China must focus on developing itself unswervingly. Only when we are strong can no monsters or demons challenge us.” This reflects China’s belief in its technological and military superiority, underpinned by its operational fifth-generation fighters and ongoing sixth-generation projects, which it sees as a benchmark that India is far from achieving.
The Global Times positions China as a competitor that India is striving to match, noting that New Delhi’s AMCA remains in the prototype stage, with mass production not expected until around 2035. In contrast, China’s advancements in aerospace technology, including the J-20, J-35, and sixth-generation prototypes, are presented as evidence of its lead. The article warns that if India continues on its current trajectory, it risks being “left far behind by China,” urging New Delhi to reconsider its strategy, potentially through foreign procurement to close the gap.
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