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India is actively exploring the acquisition of Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighters to address the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) urgent combat aircraft shortfall, with the proposal expected to figure prominently during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Summit in December.
Sources familiar with defence discussions indicate that Moscow has extended an offer to India for joint production of the Su-57 under a full technology transfer agreement. The plan includes manufacturing the advanced jets through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), leveraging India’s existing infrastructure and operational familiarity with Russian platforms.
HAL currently produces the Su-30MKI under license, and defence officials believe that adapting facilities for Su-57 production would be both cost-effective and operationally seamless. Indian pilots and maintenance crews, long accustomed to Russian aviation systems, would also face a shorter transition period with the Su-57 compared to Western platforms.
Russia: A Reliable Strategic Partner
During a recent press briefing in New Delhi, Roman Babushkin, Chargé d’Affaires at the Russian Embassy, highlighted Moscow’s consistent role in India’s defence growth. “Russia is India’s partner of choice in defence. We’ve been cooperating long before the ‘Make in India’ initiative began,” he said. “We have agreed to produce Sukhoi jets and jet engines in India. Russia is fully committed to supporting India’s defence self-reliance.”
This offer aligns with India’s growing emphasis on indigenous defence manufacturing, even as its military planners remain focused on filling operational gaps. The IAF’s current fighter squadron strength has dipped below 32, well short of the sanctioned 42 squadrons, at a time when air cooperation between China and Pakistan is becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Why Su-57, and Why Now?
The Su-57, known by its export variant Su-57E, is a twin-engine, fifth-generation multirole fighter featuring stealth, super cruise, and advanced avionics. While Western analysts have raised concerns about its stealth profile and limited production scale, the jet has seen operational deployment, including in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, providing real-world combat insights that Indian defence planners find valuable.
India’s interest in the platform appears to stem from a blend of strategic urgency and logistical familiarity. Analysts say the country is not just seeking new jets, but also the ability to produce and maintain them independently, something that U.S. offerings like the F-35 cannot fully guarantee.
Also Read: Exclusive Confirmed: Rafale Frontline in IAF’s Fighter Crisis
Revisiting a Fractured Past
India’s earlier attempt to jointly develop a fifth-generation fighter with Russia —the FGFA program based on the Su-57- was shelved in 2018 following disputes over cost, technology sharing, and performance transparency. That legacy has left some defence analysts cautious.
Some officials argue that the current offer is markedly different from the previous FGFA collaboration, especially given Russia’s willingness to provide full tech transfer and allow local assembly, which was a sticking point in earlier negotiations.
Balancing Global Pressures
The renewed interest in Russian fighters also comes amid sustained diplomatic pressure from Washington to consider the F-35. While the American jet boasts proven capabilities, questions remain over its cost, end-user restrictions, and interoperability within India’s broader defence ecosystem.
“India must weigh sovereignty, reliability, and cost-effectiveness,” a senior IAF officer told BharatShakti.
“Russian platforms, for all their issues, offer a degree of operational control and adaptability that’s difficult to match.”
Putin’s Visit: A Decisive Moment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally invited President Putin to New Delhi for the 23rd Annual India-Russia Summit, expected to take place in December. The discussions are likely to cover a broad spectrum, from energy to trade, but defence cooperation, particularly around fifth-generation fighter production, will be a focal point.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts and India reassesses its defence priorities, the Su-57 may yet find a new lease on life, not just as a fighter jet, but as a symbol of enduring India-Russia strategic cooperation.
Huma Siddiqui
