A senior Russian official has claimed that New Delhi is evaluating a Russian proposal to manufacture the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jets in India.
Dmitry Shugaev, Director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, stated that India is “considering the issue in any case,” according to Reuters. His remarks came on the sidelines of the ongoing IDEX 2025 international defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
This development emerges as India and the United States advance their defence partnership, recently unveiling a 10-year strategic agreement. Washington has also indicated a potential sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, further intensifying competition in the fighter jet segment.
The Su-57, Russia’s premier multi-role stealth fighter, boasts advanced avionics, super cruise capability, and cutting-edge stealth technology. The aircraft recently demonstrated its high-speed aerial manoeuvres at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru alongside the American F-35 Lightning II.
Russia remains one of India’s key defence suppliers. A spokesperson for Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms exporter, recently stated that production of the Su-57 in India could begin this year if New Delhi accepts Moscow’s offer. The deal, which includes full technology transfer (ToT), is expected to mitigate potential disruptions caused by Western sanctions on Russia, the spokesperson added, as reported by Reuters.
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Monday that India would consider the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets from the United States with an “open mind.” However, he clarified that no formal offer has been made yet and that the US is still exploring a roadmap to make the aircraft available.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, President Donald Trump said during the joint press conference that defence sales between the two nations would increase by “many billions of dollars” and that his administration was paving the way to provide India with F-35 aircraft.
“Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters,” Trump said.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 is the most widely deployed fifth-generation fighter aircraft globally. It is known for its advanced stealth, avionics, and combat capabilities.
Team BharatShakti
(With inputs from Reuters)
