US Air Force Withdraws F-35 and F-16 Demonstrations from Aero India 2025

The United States Air Force (USAF) has announced that it will no longer be showcasing its F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets at Aero India 2025.

This biennial air show and aviation exhibition, scheduled to take place in Bengaluru from February 10th to 14th, is a major event in the Asian aerospace calendar.

The cancellation comes as a surprise to many, as the USAF has historically participated in Aero India with displays of its advanced aircraft. These demonstrations serve not only to showcase American airpower but also to strengthen military ties and promote cooperation with international partners.

While the USAF has not provided a specific reason for the cancellation, it is speculated that budgetary constraints, shifting global priorities, or logistical challenges may be factors. This news will undoubtedly disappoint aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals who were eager to witness the capabilities of these cutting-edge aircraft.

Despite the absence of the USAF fighter jet demonstrations, Aero India 2025 is still expected to draw a large international audience.

The event will feature a wide range of aerial displays, exhibits of aerospace technology, and opportunities for industry collaboration. Organizers may seek to incorporate alternative performances to fill the gap left by the USAF cancellation.

Aero India 2025 will nonetheless remain a significant platform for the aerospace industry, highlighting advancements in both civilian and military aviation.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s obviously pointless because the USA will never sell the F35. The F16 maybe but no ToT or local production at all as they will insist on importing it all and in large numbers.

 

[Rp]

Haha! Typical US behavior!

Bharat will not buy US tech, which is overpriced with no guarantee of supply chain/spares maintenance support.

The USA is not interested in tech transfer, and India does not want overpriced fighters. Moreover, India's ambition to build its own supply chain does not sit well with the USA, which wants to control fighter supply & related weaponry.

Passenger aircraft are now dominated by the Aerospatiale consortium with excellent tech advancement, safety & cooperation with other countries, while Boeing is struggling!!

India should be careful with the USA, whose sole aim is to dominate and keep all tech development and advancement to itself.

India needs to go ahead with partnerships with Russia & the EU. Take the example of ISRO's development, with the USA playing dirty tricks to stop Indian advancement in space tech. But against all odds, ISRO developed.

Bharat is now forced to be self-reliant, and GE 404 engine supply is intentionally delayed by the USA to stop Indian fighter jet development.

The USA now wants to supply outdated 4th-gen fighter aircraft to India, projecting them as superior tech.

India should move away from buying US-made armaments and make Atmanirbhar Bharat a dream come true!!

 

[Joseph P V]

In one way, we must deem it a blessing in disguise. One can imagine our plight had we bought fighters from USA earlier and now because they get annoyed with us, they stop all spares and essential parts !! They have done this post-Pokhran. US is not dependable on these matters.

 

[Leo red]

We need to think for ourselves. If they don't care, why should we? We must strongly move to buy Russian fighters; this is the demand of time. Su-57. We can't trust the US only because of their strong policy of avoidance.

By the way, India was never in their priorities. We are the ones who keep on demanding them to stand on our side as a democracy.

They are not open-minded. Soon their trade war will break out with the Chinese. We should not be the goat between them.

 

[Anant]

How this withdrawal shake things up?
its more of looks like USA dont want direct comparison with su-57.

Because Trump has been trying to make a grand reset on anything and everything to start his term off with. That includes diplomatic and military relations too.

The US just postponed a planned exercise with Japan, and Trump has pretty much put a stop to everything for now.

As I said, this could be the result of the Su-57 making an appearance, but Trump doing Trump things is the more likely explanation. Moreover, if the Su-57 was the sole reason, we would have seen the USAF withdraw earlier. We have known that the Su-57 will be present for over a month now.

 

[Anant]

It’s obviously pointless because the USA will never sell the F35. The F16 maybe but no ToT or local production at all as they will insist on importing it all and in large numbers.

Considering that they have agreed to the MRFA terms of setting up a local production line if selected for the F-16V, I think you are mistaken in that aspect.

 

[Sandeep]

Considering that they have agreed to the MRFA terms of setting up a local production line if selected for the F-16V, I think you are mistaken in that aspect.

My friend a vague promise does not mean that it will be a 100% local production or technology transfer agreement. They could set a production line with maybe 60% of technology transfer and local production and miss out giving us the critical technology and parts and without those parts we wouldn’t be able to even fly a F16. That wouldn’t be worth it. Also the price will increase even more than just importing it from them.

 

[Rajesh Bhatnagar]

It very obvious and logical, as India has clearly explained to US that we are not interested in F-16's and F-18's, and USA will not going to offer their F-35 to India. So there is no point to bring these birds to Indian Air show. They were bringing their birds in anticipation only. So they are saving their money in doing so.

 

[PKPRS]

IAF has its eyes set on the Rafale

IAF doesn't want to buy Rafale in 2040 when all the neighbors fly 5th and 6th gen jets.

 

[PKPRS]

India would never buy their birds unless there was joint production and tech transfer,

If we need any help with AMCA, LM would be the best choice, or the Russians, nobody else has production-ready 5th gen aircraft.

 

[Scooter2000]

Because of SU-57 showing.

Absurd the F-35 has nothing to be afraid of the Su-57 in any respect.

 

[Scooter2000]

Because they don't want to sell F 35 to India.

Trump would "love" to sell India the F-35.

 

[Scooter2000]

Because Trump has been trying to make a grand reset on anything and everything to start his term off with. That includes diplomatic and military relations too.

The US just postponed a planned exercise with Japan, and Trump has pretty much put a stop to everything for now.

As I said, this could be the result of the Su-57 making an appearance, but Trump doing Trump things is the more likely explanation. Moreover, if the Su-57 was the sole reason, we would have seen the USAF withdraw earlier. We have known that the Su-57 will be present for over a month now.

Trump has good relations with both India and Japan. He surely isn't worried about the Su-57 and would love to make that clear with the presence of the F-35. I don't know what is going on. Yet, it isn't what is being represented here....

 

[Scooter2000]

The F-16 was sold more than 4,500 times all over the world, and the F-35 is the most sold 5th-gen fighter jet. Even then, the US held back from participating in Aero India. Most US fighter jets are sold through pressure tactics rather than true evaluation. That's why Europe has two separate 6th-gen fighter jet projects: FCAS & Tempest. Why does the US fear direct comparison? It reminds one of a similar situation for Pakistan, where whenever Tejas MK1A was participating, Pakistan avoided the JF-17 in that show. Only rebranding and advertising don't help to win orders; it has to be practical evaluation. Anyway, the US has done PR for the so-called F-21 by making a video rather than field evaluation. This is the best marketing funda.

Do you just make stuff up or what? The US sells the most fighters because it offers the best product for the money. Why don't you ask those 4500 F-16 customers what they think. Honestly, what an absurd comment....

 

[Scooter2000]

The US has become money-minded and is not interested in mere optics. When business is considered, Bharat won't buy the F-16, and the USA won't sell the F-35 to India. Also, Bharat is not willing to buy any US air-to-air (BVR/non-BVR) missiles or fighter-specific arsenal packages, so the US was going to waste time and money with the F-16 and F-35 over here.

My guess is India will in fact buy the F-35 or at very least the KF-21. Why? Because both are the only viable options. Yet, feel free to provide an alternative.....

 

[Scooter2000]

I believe the US and LMT itself probably know well that the F-16 has no real chance, and the IAF has its eyes set on the Rafale, while Boeing knows that the F-18, after being rejected from the naval tender, has no real chance with the IAF. The F-15, although a very potent platform, won't be bought due to its sheer cost and the fact that the IAF's budget is majorly tied with a similarly equipped MKI.

LMT, in all likelihood, would be eager to offer the F-35, knowing well that will provide them a foothold in the expanding Indian defense market for decades to come, but the US is unlikely to offer it since it has a well-known technical issue with the S-400 and India's continued ties with Russia, which would persist in many ways for the next two decades.

It would be "crazy" for India to buy another 4th Generation Fighter regardless of the type! As more and more 5th Generation Fighters come online. This while a number of 6th Generation Fighters are already in development. You know what happens when a 4th Generation Fighters meets a 5th Generation Fighter in Air Combat. The former "dies"....

 

[Scooter2000]

Better way to put it is that India will never buy F35 because it limits its strategic autonomy. Remember, all software, including mission computer is maintained out of us.

If, India doesn't acquire the F-35 it would be "mainly" cost. Really, it comes down to the perceived threat from China and Pakistan. Yet, with both of them acquiring 5th and/or 6th Generation Fighters. My guess is India will fork up the money!

 

[Kira]

It would be "crazy" for India to buy another 4th Generation Fighter regardless of the type! As more and more 5th Generation Fighters come online. This while a number of 6th Generation Fighters are already in development. You know what happens when a 4th Generation Fighters meets a 5th Generation Fighter in Air Combat. The former "dies"....

True, now besides ordering another batch of 36 Rafale to justify the investment on already 36 Rafale inducted and producing Tejas, there is no point in ordering another 4th Gen jet.