For five days, from February 10 to 14, the Bengaluru skies roared with supersonic booms and dazzling aerial acrobatics. The world’s most advanced warplanes sliced through the atmosphere, cutting contrails across the deep blue canvas. The city, known for its gardens and technology, became the epicentre of aviation brilliance, as over a million eyes remained skyward, mesmerised by the symphony of power, speed, and precision.
Yes, this was Aero India 2025, the 15th edition of Asia’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition, bigger and more spectacular than ever before. Themed ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, the event featured over 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies, alongside a distinguished assembly of defence ministers, military chiefs, and industry leaders. From cutting-edge indigenous aircraft to futuristic stealth fighters, the showcase reflected India’s growing might in the global aerospace industry.
EVOLUTION OVER THE YEARS
Since its inception in 1996, Aero India has grown from a modest airshow into a pivotal platform for technological innovation, defence collaboration, and industrial growth. Held biennially at Yelahanka Air Force Station, it has transformed into a launchpad for India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities while attracting global aerospace giants, eager to forge strategic partnerships. With every edition, the event has solidified India’s role as a formidable force in aerospace and defence.
HIGHLIGHTS OF AERO INDIA 2025
The 15th edition of Aero India showcased India’s growing aviation capabilities, cutting-edge technology, and strategic collaborations. From the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to the latest trainer jets, upgraded helicopters, and advanced UAVs, the event underscored the nation’s self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing.
Beyond the breathtaking aerial displays—where fighter jets roared through the sky and aerobatic teams performed precision manoeuvres—the spotlight was on next-generation defence technologies. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) unveiled cutting-edge communication systems, including Software Defined Radios, AI-powered warfare technologies, and high-capacity relay networks, enhancing secure battlefield communication. Advances in electro-optics, night vision devices, and digital flight control systems reinforced India’s progress toward superior combat readiness.
The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) exhibited groundbreaking AI-powered swarm drone systems, quantum cryptography solutions, and 5G defence applications—offering a glimpse into the future of network-centric warfare. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated rollout of Tejas LCAs, along with indigenous missile technology such as the Pralay and Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile, further strengthened India’s defence arsenal.
On the global front, strategic dialogues gained momentum. Russia proposed manufacturing its advanced Su- 57 stealth fighters in India, marking a potential milestone in Indo-Russian defence cooperation. Meanwhile, Boeing’s discussions on establishing an assembly line in India reflected the country’s growing prominence in aerospace manufacturing.
However, two star attractions stole the show—the American F-35 Lightning II and the Russian Su-57 Felon—a breathtaking spectacle that aviation enthusiasts could only dream of witnessing.
THE SHOWSTOPPERS: TITANS OF THE SKY
Aero India 2025 made history as the world’s two most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighters, the F-35 and Su-57, shared the same stage for the first time.
The Su-57, Russia’s pinnacle of air dominance, was the first to take to the skies. With a thunderous roar, its Saturn AL-41F1 engines catapulted the aircraft into a near-vertical climb, its silhouette slicing through the air with breathtaking agility. Designed for super cruise, thrust vectoring, and stealth, the Su-57 executed jaw-dropping manoeuvres, including the legendary Pugachev’s Cobra, leaving the audience in stunned admiration.
Just as the Su-57 completed its electrifying performance, the F-35 Lightning II made its grand entrance. Unlike the raw power and agility of its Russian counterpart, the F-35 exuded silent confidence. Its advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and unparalleled situational awareness demonstrated the epitome of 21st-century aerial warfare. With remarkable precision, it executed high-speed, high-G manoeuvres, showcasing its dominance in the modern combat arena.
But just as spectators were processing the brilliance of these technological marvels, the unthinkable happened— the Su-57 returned for an unprecedented second sortie. Piloted by Sergey Bogdan, Sukhoi’s chief test pilot, the aircraft pushed its limits further, executing a Kulbit manoeuvre, a full-circle somersault that defied physics and left even seasoned pilots in awe. For those who witnessed this aerial showdown, it was more than an airshow—it was a historic moment, a rare duel of aeronautical philosophies between two superpowers.
THE SURYA KIRAN SPECTACLE: PAINTING THE SKY
If the F-35 and Su-57 showcased the future of air combat, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team reminded the world that aviation is also an art form. With a legacy dating back to 1996, the Indian Air Force’s pride soared through the skies in their BAE Hawk 132 jets, delivering a breathtaking display of precision and synchronization.
The sky became their canvas as nine jets carved intricate formations—loops, barrel rolls, and mirror manoeuvres— all executed with clockwork precision. The ‘Bomb Burst’ manoeuvre saw them explode outward in a dazzling spectacle, saffron and white smoke trailing in perfect symmetry. Then came the ‘Heart in the Sky,’ a symbol of passion and pride, drawing gasps of wonder from the crowd.
Each move tested the limits of physics, each twist and turn a testament to the skill and discipline of the Indian Air Force. As the final crescendo unfolded, with the jets soaring into a synchronized vertical split, the audience erupted into thunderous applause, their hearts still racing from the sheer magic of it all.
THE FUTURE BECKONS
Aero India 2025 was more than just a five-day spectacle; it was a glimpse into the future of aerospace innovation, defence collaboration, and India’s growing prowess on the world stage. The event not only reinforced India’s position as a global aerospace hub but also laid the groundwork for future advancements, partnerships, and self-reliance in defence technology.
As the smoke trails faded and the last aircraft touched down, one thing was clear—this was not just an airshow; it was a defining moment in India’s journey towards aerospace excellence. Aero India 2025 had indeed lived up to its theme, serving as ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities.’
Aero India 2025 was not merely a showcase of air power; it was a declaration of intent—an assertion of India’s capability to innovate, manufacture, and lead in the aerospace domain. With every jet that soared and every groundbreaking technology unveiled, the event reaffirmed that India is no longer just a consumer of defence technology but an emerging leader shaping the future of global aviation and security. The runway to a billion opportunities is well and truly open, and India is ready for take-off.
*The writer, a Harvard educated civil servant, is a former Secretary to the Government of India. He also served on the Central Administrative Tribunal and as Secretary General of ASSOCHAM. He commands extensive expertise in the fields including Media and Information, Industrial and Labour Reforms, and Public Policy.
