At Aero India 2023, F-35 Makes A Roaring Debut

Two F-35s from the United States Air Force (USAF) roared into the India Air Force station at Yelahanka in Bengaluru around noon on the first day of Aero India 2023.

The F-35A Lightning II is the USAF’s newest fifth-generation fighter. It can be stealthy, go faster than sound, and do more than one thing.

This is the first time a US defence company, Lockheed Martin, has sent an F-35 to India.

Before the air show, there was talk about whether or not fifth-generation jets would be at Aero India 2023. On the day before the air show, the US delegation told the guests that they would be getting a surprise.

As soon as the two F-35s got to Yelahanka, they were the centre of everyone’s attention. On the tarmac, officers from the Indian military and tourists took pictures and selfies with the fifth-generation fighter.

The planes didn’t do any demonstrations on February 13, but they are likely to do so on Day 2 of the airshow.

The US consulate general says that the F-35A Lightning II demonstration team will show off the plane’s unique abilities in the air during the airshow, and the F-35A Lightning will be on display.

The F-35’s engine is made up of a 3-stage fan, a 6-stage compressor, an annular combustor, a single-stage high-pressure turbine, and a 2-stage low-pressure turbine. The engine has a thrust of 43,000 pounds.

“The F-35 is the most advanced fighter plane in the U.S. Aero India is the perfect place for the U.S. to show off its most advanced, capable, deadly, and interoperable weapons systems. The Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, Major General Julian C. Cheater, said that this system and others like it are made to get through and beat the air defences of advanced enemies.

In response to questions from the media on February 12, the U.S. delegation said that it was too soon for the U.S. to offer the F-35 to India.

In addition to the F-35, a pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons will show off the capabilities of one of the USAF’s best fighter jets every day from February 13 to 17. The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet multi-role fighters will be part of the static display.