Context:
President Trump announced the US’s willingness to sell F-35 fighter jets to India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
Russia also wants to sell India its Su-57 according to Rosoboronexport. Both aircraft were showcased at Aero India 2025.
About F-35 Lightning II
- The F-35 Lightning II, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a stealth multirole fighter with a single engine and seat.
- It comes in three variants: F-35A for the Air Force, F-35B for the Marine Corps, and F-35C for the Navy with advanced stealth features.
- Lockheed Martin claims the F-35A provides a significant advantage in combat, allowing pilots to operate in any environment and against any threat.
Features of F-35 Lightning II and Su-57
| Specification | F-35 Lightning II | Sukhoi Su-57 |
| Type | Fifth-Generation Stealth Multirole Fighter with 1 Crew | Fifth-Generation Stealth Multirole Fighter with 1 Crew |
| Designer Country | USA (Lockheed Martin) | Russia (Sukhoi Design Bureau, United Aircraft Corporation) |
| Armament | 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon, AIM-120C/D missiles, GBU-31 JDAM bombs | 30 mm GSh-30-1 autocannon, R-77M, R-74M2, R-37 missiles, Kh-38M, Kh-59MK2 bombs, Anti-Ship, Anti-Radiation missiles |
| Avionics | Advanced stealth, AESA radar, electronic warfare system | Sh-121 MIRES, N036 Byelka AESA radar, L402 Himalayas ECM, 101KS Atoll targeting system |
| Weight | Max Takeoff Weight: 70,000 lb (31,751 kg) | Empty: 18,500 kg, Max Takeoff Weight: 35,000 kg |
| Engine | F135-PW-100 turbofan (40,000 lb max thrust) | 2 × Saturn AL-41F1 turbofan engines (88.3 kN dry, 142.2 kN afterburner) |
| Speed | Max Speed: Mach 1.6 (~1,200 mph) | Max Speed: Mach 2 (2,135 km/h), Super Cruise: Mach 1.3 (1,400 km/h) |
| Range | Combat Radius: >590 nm / 1,093 km (USAF profile) | Subsonic: 3,500 km, Supersonic: 1,500 km, Ferry Range: 4,500 km |
| Dimensions | Length: 15.67 m, Wingspan: 10.7 m, Height: 4.38 m | Length: 20.1 m, Wingspan: 14.1 m, Height: 4.6 m |