F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets

PWOnlyIAS

February 17, 2025

F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets

US President Donald Trump has announced the sale of the F-35 fighter jets to India after his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

  • Early last week at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, both the U.S. F-35 and Russia’s SU-57 were showcased.

F-35 vs SU-57: How Do They Compare?

Both are fifth-generation stealth fighters, but they differ significantly in capability, cost, and adoption.

Key Comparisons: 

Feature F-35 (USA) SU-57 (Russia)
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin Sukhoi (UAC)
First Flight 2006 2010
Seating Single-seat Single-seat
Engines Single-engine (Pratt & Whitney F135) Twin-engine (Saturn AL-41F1)
Top Speed Mach 1.6 Mach 1.8 (after burner)
Range 2,172 km 2,999 km
Max Altitude 50,000 ft 54,100 ft
Stealth Capabilities Advanced radar-absorbing materials, low radar cross-section Serrated exhaust nozzle for reduced radar/IR signature
Avionics & Sensors Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS), Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) AI-assisted avionics, radar system spread across body
Weapons Payload 8,160 kg 7.4 tonnes
Operational Units 1,000+ globally Only ~40 produced
Unit Cost $80M – $115M Significantly cheaper (exact cost unknown)
Stealth Reliability Proven in combat (U.S. & NATO ops) Some concerns over stealth effectiveness
User 17 countries (U.S., UK, Australia, etc.) No confirmed foreign buyers
Advantages
  • Cutting-edge technology (stealth, sensors, networking)
  • Strong U.S. support & ecosystem
  • Combat-proven
  • Lower cost than F-35
  • Twin-engine (better for long-range operations)
  • Potential for technology transfer local co-production with Russia
Challenges
  • High cost of procurement & maintenance
  • U.S. restrictions on usage & technology transfer
  • Single-engine, whereas IAF prefers twin-engine fighters
  • Limited production & reliability concerns
  • Unproven in combat
  • Stealth capabilities questioned

Which One Should India Choose?

  • The F-35 offers superior stealth, technology, and combat experience, but at a high cost and with U.S. restrictions.
  • SU-57 is cheaper and twin-engine, but it lacks operational maturity and global adoption.
  • India must balance immediate needs with its long-term goal of self-reliance in fighter jet development (AMCA program).

Why Does India Need a 5th-Gen Fighter?

  • India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is under development but unlikely to enter service before 2036.
  • India’s adversaries (China & Pakistan) are rapidly acquiring stealth aircraft, creating a potential air superiority gap for the IAF.
    • China is rapidly expanding its J-20 fleet (~300 by 2030). And developing the J-35A.
    • Pakistan acquiring J-31 stealth fighters and collaborating with Turkey on the KAAN fighter.
  • A widening stealth gap in the IAF’s fleet could compromise India’s air defense capability in the 2030s.
  • India currently operates 4.5-generation fighters like the Rafale, but lacks a true fifth-generation jet. India risks being outmatched by stealth technology in future conflicts

Conclusion

  • The potential F-35 deal raises key questions about its impact on India’s self-reliance goals in defense.
  • Its high cost, integration challenges, and strategic dependencies need to be carefully evaluated before any decision.

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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