... for butthurt news today. Or, rather, having fun at and with them, because my BS meter is extremely sensitive.
India Has a Choice: Russia’s Su-57 or America’s F-35 Fighter?
India will choose F-35, we all know that, but that's not the point. It is the copious amount of BS they continue to spread. Like this, in the same piece:
The Su-57’s top speed of Mach 2.0 is noticeably faster than the F-35, but it is not as stealthy. In a unique display, both the American-made F-35 Lightning II and Russian-made Su-57 were seen together during an air show in India earlier this month. In addition to the Chinese Chengdu J-20 and American F-22 Raptor, these fifth-generation platforms are considered to be the most capable in service today. The presence of both airframes at the Aero India 2025 is significant as tensions continue to ramp up across the globe.
The question which one must ask is--and what is so "unique" in this "display"? Both countries brought their planes to the show. OK, wow. Now, another matter is PLURAL in terms of platforms and considered by who? So, Russians brought combat proven 5th generation aircraft with unrivaled combat record, while the US brought ...
As the second U.S.-made fifth-generation fighter platform, the F-35 is widely considered to be the most formidable of its kind to fly the skies.
Again, considered by who? What are the criteria of "formidability"? Some BS propaganda about the platform which became a global butt of jokes and is absolutely not fit for real war? F-35 flew a rather boring routine at Aero India 2025 which is a pity, considering the fact that Su-57 stole the show, but that's just that--the show. I am sure when fresh (February 2025) facts on combat readiness are presented:
The F-35 fighter program continues to struggle with meeting test milestones and mission readiness goals, but progress is being made on both fronts, according to the latest report from the Pentagon’s test director and comments from the Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin. Testing of the F-35’s Technology Refresh-3 software and hardware “remained significantly behind schedule throughout [Fiscal Year] 2024, acting Director of Operational Test and Evaluation Raymond D. O’Toole Jr. said in his organization’s annual report, released in late January. “The F-35 program has shown no improvement in meeting schedule and performance timelines for developing and testing software designed to address deficiencies and add new capabilities,” the report added.
This excruciating for military analysis professionals BS may stop, because in the end, shows are for ... well, shows for hoi polloi, while in particular case of India all those behind closed doors "negotiations" may last forever and will be decided by the scale of bribes, not combat capability of which F-35 has none in real war.
