Russia Urges India to Buy Su-57 Stealth Fighters

Russia is eyeing the production of its Su-57 fighter jets in India and has launched a study on the required investments, inside sources shared with the Indian news agency ANI.

Given India’s historical reliance on Russian defense materiel before diversifying, officials noted that Su-57 local production could be possible on the Hashik-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility, which is already licensed to manufacture Su-30MKI aircraft.

Other facilities that also produce Russian-origin military equipment in the South Asian country could be utilized. Additionally, Moscow officials urged the Indian government to acquire more S-400 and S-500 air defense systems.

New Delhi was initially supposed to co-produce the Russian fifth-generation combat aircraft, but it withdrew from the program in 2018, citing disagreements that included cost-sharing plans and performance concerns.

However, sources familiar with the matter told the Indian news outlet that a revival of their partnership is not ruled out due to the global situation.

India’s Fifth-Generation Aircraft

The US-made F-35 and Russian-origin Su-57 were offered to the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is looking to fill its requirement for two to three squadrons of fifth-generation aircraft.

However, New Delhi turned down the F-35 as it preferred technology sharing and local manufacturing, which Washington restricts for F-35 export customers due to national security policies and protection of the jet’s sensitive technologies, according to a Bloomberg report.

The decision also comes amid deteriorating trade relations with the US.

This leaves the Su-57 “Felon” on the table as its potential fifth-generation stealth aircraft, reportedly developed to rival the F-35 with an 18,800-meter (61,680-foot) service ceiling and a 1,250-kilometer (776-mile) combat radius.

Choosing the Sukhoi jet might be possible as the bulk of the IAF combat fleet is already of Russian origin — Su-30MKI and MiG-29 — in addition to the French Rafales and indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.

However, the South Asian country is also developing a homegrown variant dubbed the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), aligning with its push for self-reliance in defense.

The AMCA is slated to enter operational service by approximately 2035.

India’s final and official decision regarding its fifth-generation aircraft pick has not been publicized yet.