Aero India 2025: Indian, American & Russian aircraft dazzle on Day 1

BENGALURU: The first flying display at this edition of Aero India was dominated by fighter jets — IAF's Tejas and Su-30, the American F-35, and the Russian Su-57. But it was Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (Skat) that garnered the most applause as the lone aerobatic team, with IAF's Sarang not performing.
While Tejas, Su-30, Jaguar, IJT, and Rafale participated in the official flypast along with helicopters (Mi-17 and LUH) and Skat, the inaugural flying display only saw Tejas and Su-30 among the fighters.

The flypast began with paragliders from IAF's Akash Ganga team jumping off the AN-32, followed by the ‘Dhwaj' formation with three Mi 17 helicopters carrying the tricolour, the IAF flag, and the Aero India flag. This was followed by three LCA-Mk1A Tejas aircraft and three LUH in ‘Bhim' formation, and three Coast Guard Dornier aircraft in ‘Rakshak' formation.
Two more Dorniers then accompanied an AN-32 transport aircraft, which were followed by LCA-Mk1A in ‘Yodha' formation, two Hawks and MiG-29s along with a P81 aircraft in ‘Varuna' formation, and the big C-130 accompanied by two C-295 aircraft in ‘Saathi' formation.
The flypast ended with five Jaguar aircraft in ‘Arjun' formation, an Airborne Early Warning and Control System Embraer aircraft flanked by two Su-30 fighters, a Rafale with Su-30, and finally, three Su-30 fighters in ‘Trishul' formation.
Skat, Su-57 & F-35 rule
Then, the flying display was kicked off by HAL's HTT-40 and IJT before Tejas-Mk1A soared, performing multiple stunts. Su-30 was the show-stopper with its moves. The morning flying display ended with a spectacle by Skat, making up for its partner Sarang's absence (which was reported in these columns last Friday).

Among the many moves the aerobatic team performed, including loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying, and the signature DNA manoeuvre that enthralled the crowd, the most cheers came for its ‘heart in the sky' move.
The afternoon display belonged to the two fifth-generation fighters from Russia and the US — Su-57 and F-35. TOI had reported in its Monday edition on how, in a rare meeting of advanced fighters, the two fighters would share the same airspace, shining focus on fifth-generation stealth aircraft.
Su-57, piloted by Russian test pilot Sergey Bogdan, performed twice in the afternoon, displaying its manoeuvrability and agility with several close-circuit stunts in its Aero India debut. F-35, flown by Major Justin ‘Scout' Deave, did one sortie.
The Americans hadn't confirmed if F-35 would fly, although Aero India organisers had listed the aircraft under flying display, leading to a good surprise.