SOURCE: AFI
The Aero India 2025 air show, held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru from February 10-14, has become a stage for an unprecedented display of military technology and a surprising showcase of mutual curiosity between rival nations. Following reports that the ground crew of Russia’s Su-57E stealth fighter were caught taking pictures of the American F-35A Lightning II, new images have emerged showing U.S. Air Force ground crew members enjoying the Su-57’s aerial performance and snapping photographs of the Russian jet. This rare interaction between personnel from two opposing military powers highlights the unique environment of Aero India, where cutting-edge technology and geopolitical rivalries intersect in a neutral setting.
Aero India 2025 has drawn global attention as the first air show where the Russian Sukhoi Su-57 and the American Lockheed Martin F-35 have shared the same tarmac and airspace. The Su-57E, the export variant of Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, made its debut in India, while the F-35A, a mainstay of the U.S. Air Force’s advanced fighter fleet, returned for its second appearance at the event, having previously participated in 2023. The presence of these two aircraft, representing the pinnacle of Eastern and Western military aviation technology, has provided a rare opportunity for side-by-side comparison and observation.
The initial incident that sparked interest occurred early in the air show when members of the Su-57E ground crew, accompanying the aircraft from Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB), were observed taking photographs of the F-35A on the tarmac. Social media posts on X captured the moment, with images showing Russian personnel closely examining the American stealth fighter. One notable post by @VishalJolapara on February 9, 2025, described the scene: “Su-57 crew eagerly ? their first in-person glimpse of the F-35… A rare moment of mutual fascination.”
The fascination proved to be mutual. Days later, images surfaced showing U.S. Air Force ground crew members watching the Su-57’s aerial performance and taking photographs of the Russian fighter jet. Posts on X, such as one by @DD_Geopolitics on February 15, 2025, captioned “U.S. Air Force crew enjoying the Su-57 performance at the air show in India,” depicted American personnel with cameras and smartphones trained on the Su-57 as it executed maneuvers in the sky. Another post by
@News_Statistic noted, “American F-35 pilots watching Russian 5th generation fighter jet Su-57 at Aero India 2025 air show,” accompanied by a video of the event.
The Su-57, piloted by Russian test pilot Sergey Bogdan, performed twice on the afternoon of February 10, showcasing its agility, thrust vectoring, and maneuverability with close-circuit stunts. These displays highlighted the aircraft’s supercruise capability and advanced avionics, offering a stark contrast to the F-35’s design philosophy, which prioritizes stealth and network-enabled operations over raw aerodynamic performance. For the U.S. ground crew, witnessing the Su-57’s capabilities firsthand was a rare opportunity to observe a platform that has been deployed in limited numbers and remains shrouded in some mystery due to Russia’s guarded approach to its development and operational use.
The mutual curiosity displayed by the ground crews reflects a professional interest in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each other’s platforms. For the Russian crew, the F-35 represents the gold standard of Western stealth technology, with over 1,000 units produced and extensive combat experience with U.S. and allied forces. For the American crew, the Su-57 offers a glimpse into Russia’s approach to fifth-generation fighters, emphasizing agility, thrust vectoring, and hypersonic weaponry—features that differ from the F-35’s focus on stealth and interoperability.
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