BENGALURU: The
US Air Force’s (USAF) newest fifth-generation fighters — the stealthy, supersonic, multirole F-35A Lightning II and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter — made their debut at Aero India 2023 on Monday, with a swift flypast before landing.
The two aircraft, F-35A Joint Strike Fighter from Hill Air Force Base, Utah and F-35A Lightning II from the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska arriving in India also assumes strategic importance in the backdrop of increasing ties between India and US and the geopolitics in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Major General Julian C Cheater, assistant deputy under secretary of the US Air Force, International Affairs, said on Monday: “The F-35 represents the leading-edge of US fighter technology. Aero India is an ideal forum to showcase the most advanced, capable, lethal, and interoperable weapons systems the US has to offer. This system and others are designed to penetrate and defeat advanced adversary air defences.”
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Aero India 2023: Top 10 Aircraft participates in Bengaluru show
Show Captions
<p>Aero India is India’s largest air show and aerospace exhibition, held biennially in Bengaluru. The event showcases the latest advancements in aviation technology and aerospace equipment, as well as military aircraft and defence systems.</p>
<p>Aeroindia-2023 is being organized by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on behalf of the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Here is the list of aircraft taking part in the exhibition. Check it …<br /><br /></p>
<p>Kiran MK-II is an advanced two-seat, tandem arrangement, trainer aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. It is in service since 1974. The Kiran MK-II features a lightweight structure, modern avionics, and advanced flight control systems, making it a capable platform for training future generations of pilots.<br /></p>
<p>The Mi-17 is a military helicopter that was developed by the Soviet Union and is now produced by the Russian company Rostvertol. It is a medium-lift helicopter that has been widely used by military and civilian operators around the world. <br /></p>
<p>The Mi-17 has a spacious cabin that can accommodate a large number of passengers or cargo, making it well-suited for a variety of missions, including troop transport, medical evacuation, and humanitarian aid operations. <br /></p>
<p>Additionally, the helicopter is equipped with powerful engines and advanced avionics, which allow it to operate in challenging environments, including high altitudes and hot climates.<br /></p>
<p>The Bheem Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is a light utility helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force. It is designed to perform a wide range of tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, and transport missions.<br /></p>
<p>The Rudra advanced light helicopter (ALH) is a multi-role helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The helicopter is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and weapons systems and can be used for a variety of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, anti-tank operations, and search and rescue.<br /></p>
<p>The Sarang helicopter is a part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter fleet. It is the aerobatic display team of the IAF and performs aerobatic demonstrations using HAL Dhruv helicopters. <br /></p>
<p>LCA SPT stands for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Support Platform Trainer. It is a two-seater variant of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force. <br /></p>
<p>The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Dornier Do 228 is a multi-purpose light transport aircraft used by the Indian Air Force (IAF). It was first introduced into service in the late 1980s and continues to be used by the IAF for various roles such as reconnaissance, transport, and maritime patrol. <br /></p>
<p>The Embraer 145 is as jet aircraft manufactured by the Brazilian aerospace company Embraer. It is part of the Embraer E-Jet family and is designed for short to medium-haul flights. </p>
<p>The Mikoyan MiG-29, also known as the “Fulcrum”, is a fourth-generation air superiority fighter that was originally developed for the Soviet Union. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been operating the MiG-29 since the 1980s, and it has been a mainstay of the IAF’s combat fleet for many years. <br /></p>
<p>The Jaguar is known for its low-level penetration capabilities, as well as its ability to deliver a wide range of air-to-ground weapons with precision. The aircraft has been upgraded several times over the years, with modern avionics and weapons systems, to ensure that it remains relevant and effective in the face of evolving threats.<br /></p>
<p>The Rafale aircraft is a multirole combat fighter manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation. It was inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September 2016 as part of a 36-aircraft deal signed between the Indian and French governments. <br /></p>
<p>The Tejas is an indigenous multirole light fighter aircraft developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The aircraft was inducted into the IAF in July 2016 and is the first indigenous supersonic fighter aircraft developed in India.<br /></p>
<p>P-8I Neptune (also known as the P-8 Poseidon) is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft developed by the American company Boeing. <br /></p>
<p>The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a twin-engine, two-seater multirole fighter aircraft developed by Russia’s Sukhoi Aviation Corporation and manufactured under license by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).<br /></p>
<p>The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, advanced jet trainer aircraft used by the Indian Air Force (IAF). In India, the Hawk is locally known as the Hawk-i. The Hawk-i is used by the IAF for advanced jet training, weapons training, and operational conversion of fighter pilots.<br /></p>
<p>The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a single-engine, delta-wing multirole fighter aircraft developed by the French company Dassault Aviation. The Indian Air Force (IAF) operates a fleet of Mirage 2000 aircraft, which have been inducted into service since the 1980s. <br /><br /></p>
The TOI had reported in its February 13 edition that the US was likely to surprise by bringing the F-35. While Rear Admiral Michael L Baker, senior defence official & defence attaché to India, has said the F-35 coming to this airshow was to demonstrate the strength and closeness of India-US partnership and not because there’s a possibility of acquisition, the timing of the F-35 debut cannot be overlooked.
With India’s joint-development project for a fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) having been shelved, India has shifted focus to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (Amca), a fifth generation twin-fin, twin-engine stealth aircraft being developed by Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
In fact, in 2019, the IAF had said at the Aero India that its first preference so far as a fifth generation fighter plane goes, would be the indigenous Amca. However, with Amca still under development and a changing threat perception, especially in the northern sector, Indian armed forces, including the Indian Air Force (IAF) are looking at swift modernisation.
So far, India has not officially sought the F-35 from the US. As Cheater put it on Sunday: “…There has been no ask or high-level discussion. From what I can tell, India is focussed on building its own future fighters…”
On Monday, the US Consulate General’s office said that after a journey from Hill Air Force Base in Utah, the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team will impress crowds with a demo of its unique aerial capabilities, while the other F-35A Lightning II will be on static display.
“The F-35’s engine produces 43,000 pounds of thrust and consists of a three-stage fan, a six-stage compressor, an annular combustor, a single stage high-pressure turbine, and a 2-stage low-pressure turbine,” it added.
In addition to the F-35, an F-16 Fighting Falcon duo will conduct daily aerial demonstrations from, showcasing the capability of one of the USAF’s leading fighter jets while on static display will be the F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet, both multirole fighters.
Watch US Air Force’s F-35 to debut at Aero India 2023