F-35 or Su-57: Which 5th-Gen Fighter Should India Bet On? My Two Cents

F-35 or Su-57: Which 5th-Gen Fighter Should India Bet On? My Two Cents

May 26/2025

Time: 43:00 pm 

Posted By - Technology & Defense 

I’ve been fascinated by military aviation since I was a kid, watching grainy footage of MiGs and Sukhois screaming across the sky during Republic Day parades. So when I started thinking about India’s potential 5th-generation fighter options, I couldn’t help but dive deep into the F-35 Lightning II and the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon. These two jets are beasts in their own right, but they’re built with very different philosophies—and India’s choice here could shape our air force for decades. Let me break it down and share why I’m leaning one way over the other.

Stealth and Design: Hiding vs. Dancing in the Sky

The F-35, built by Lockheed Martin, is like a ninja. It’s all about stealth—its radar cross-section is tiny, thanks to its angular design and radar-absorbing materials. I read somewhere that it’s about as detectable as a metal golf ball on radar, which is insane. Plus, its sensor fusion means the pilot gets a 360-degree view of the battlefield, like they’re playing a video game with cheat codes on. It’s not just a fighter; it’s a flying intelligence hub.

The Su-57, on the other hand, feels more like a street fighter. Russia’s Sukhoi bureau designed it for agility—those thrust-vectoring engines let it pull off maneuvers that would make most pilots black out. It’s not as stealthy as the F-35 (you can see the engine blades if you look closely, which isn’t great for radar evasion), but it’s faster, hitting Mach 2 compared to the F-35’s Mach 1.6. To me, the Su-57 feels like it’s built to get up close and personal in a dogfight, while the F-35 wants to take you out before you even know it’s there.

The Tech Edge: Brains vs. Brawn

The F-35’s avionics are on another level. I’ve seen reports of its AN/APG-81 radar and EOTS system tracking targets from insane distances, feeding data directly to the pilot’s helmet. It’s like the jet is thinking for you, combining radar, infrared, and electronic warfare data into one seamless picture. That’s a huge advantage in modern air combat, where situational awareness often decides who survives.

The Su-57 has solid tech too—its radar can track multiple targets, and it’s got an infrared search-and-track system to spot stealthy enemies. But from what I’ve read, it’s not as integrated as the F-35’s setup. The Su-57 feels like it’s playing catch-up here, especially since Russia’s been slower to roll out the kind of networked warfare systems the U.S. has been perfecting for years.

Combat Experience: Tested vs. Still Proving Itself

Here’s where things get interesting. The F-35 has been in the game for a while—over a thousand have been delivered worldwide, and it’s seen action in places like the Middle East. A recent article from Reuters noted that the F-35 has repeatedly proven its mettle in real-world scenarios, which makes it a safer bet for a country like India that needs a reliable platform now. The U.S. and its allies have ironed out a lot of the early kinks, though I’ve heard pilots grumble about its maintenance costs and downtime.

The Su-57, though? It’s still a bit of a mystery. Russia’s only got a handful in service as of early 2025, and while they’ve flown missions in Syria, the jet hasn’t been truly battle-tested in a high-intensity conflict. The same Reuters piece mentioned that Russia has only used the Su-57 sparingly in Syria and Ukraine, which makes me a little nervous—India can’t afford to bet on a platform that’s still figuring itself out.

Range and Firepower: Who Can Go the Distance?

The Su-57 has a big edge in range—about 3,500 km compared to the F-35’s 2,200 km. For a country like India, with massive borders and potential threats from both China and Pakistan, that extra range could mean fewer refueling stops on long missions. The Su-57 can also carry a mix of internal and external weapons, giving it more firepower if you’re willing to sacrifice some stealth.The F-35, though, keeps its weapons internal to stay sneaky, which limits its payload a bit. But let’s be real—in a modern war, you’re probably not dogfighting with a full load of external missiles. It’s more about precision strikes and staying undetected, which the F-35 is built for.

The Price Tag: Budget Matters

The Su-57 is a lot cheaper—some estimates say it costs around $50 million per jet, while the F-35 can run upwards of $100 million, depending on the variant. For India, that’s a big deal. We’re already spending a ton on Rafales and Tejas upgrades, and the defense budget isn’t infinite. India’s 2025-2026 defense acquisition budget is set at INR 1,80,000 crore, according to Mathrubhumi, which has to cover a lot of ground across the army, navy, and air force. Plus, Russia has a history of offering tech transfers and co-production deals, which could boost our domestic industry through HAL.

But the F-35’s price comes with a support network—spare parts, training, and upgrades are all part of the package. With the Su-57, I worry about supply chain issues, especially with Western sanctions hitting Russia hard since 2022. Can we really count on timely deliveries and maintenance support?

Why India’s Choice Isn’t Just About the Jets

India’s air force has been leaning on Russian tech for decades—think of the Su-30 MKI, which is still our backbone. So the Su-57 feels like a natural fit, especially since Russia might let us build some locally through HAL. But here’s the thing: China’s got its own 5th-gen fighter, the J-20, and we’re in a tense standoff with them in Ladakh. The Times of India reported in February 2025 that India and China are still navigating the fallout from the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which killed over 20 Indian soldiers. The F-35’s stealth and sensors could give us an edge there, especially if we’re up against a numerically superior force.

On the flip side, buying the F-35 means getting cozy with the U.S., which comes with strings attached. They’ll want us to align more with their geopolitical goals, and I’m not sure India’s ready to give up its strategic autonomy. Russia’s been a reliable partner, even if their tech isn’t always cutting-edge anymore.

My Take: Why I’d Pick the F-35 (With Some Hesitation)

If I were in the IAF’s shoes, I’d go for the F-35, but it’s not an easy call. The stealth, the sensors, the proven track record—it’s hard to argue against that. In a future war, I think the ability to strike first and stay hidden will matter more than raw speed or maneuverability. Plus, the F-35’s interoperability with NATO allies could come in handy if we ever need to team up in a conflict.

That said, the Su-57’s affordability and range are tempting, and I love the idea of co-producing them here. If Russia can iron out the kinks and deliver on time, it might be a better long-term bet for self-reliance. But right now, with tensions on the border and the need for a mature platform, I’d rather have the F-35 in our arsenal.

Wrapping Up 

Both the F-35 and Su-57 are incredible machines, but they’re built for different fights. The F-35 is a stealthy predator; the Su-57 is a high-flying brawler. For India, it’s about balancing cost, capability, and geopolitics. I’m curious to hear what you think—would you go for the F-35’s tech edge or the Su-57’s affordability? Drop your thoughts below!