Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Nashik facility, currently producing Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, could potentially be repurposed to manufacture the advanced Su-57E, the export version of Russia's fifth-generation stealth fighter.
According to Russia's state-owned defense conglomerate, Rostec, this transition could result in a significant increase in annual production capacity.
Rostec officials have stated that the Nashik facility, which currently produces 12 Su-30MKI aircraft per year, could be upgraded to manufacture 14 Su-57E jets annually. This represents a 16.67% increase in production.
This enhanced capacity is primarily attributed to the Su-57E's more compact design compared to the Su-30MKI, enabling more efficient use of the existing manufacturing infrastructure.
The key to this increased production efficiency lies in the dimensional differences between the two aircraft. Rostec provided the following specific comparisons:
- Length: The Su-30MKI is roughly 8.76% longer than the Su-57E.
- Wingspan: The Su-30MKI's wingspan is approximately 4.76% wider than the Su-57E's.
- Height: The Su-30MKI is significantly taller, standing about 20.69% higher than the Su-57E.
The most substantial difference, the reduced height, is particularly crucial for optimizing the use of vertical space within production hangars, potentially allowing for more concurrent work on multiple aircraft. The decreased wingspan and length also contribute to a smaller overall footprint, facilitating a more streamlined assembly line.
Rostec highlighted that the existing tooling and machinery at the Nashik plant, originally designed for the Su-30MKI, are largely compatible with the Su-57E's production requirements. This compatibility minimizes the need for extensive infrastructural changes, further contributing to the projected production increase.
It's also worth noting that the Su-57E, while incorporating advanced fifth-generation technologies like stealth and sensor fusion, may benefit from more modern, streamlined manufacturing techniques compared to the Su-30MKI. The Su-30MKI is a 4++ generation aircraft with a more complex design, including canards and thrust-vectoring engines, which potentially require more intricate assembly processes.
The Su-57 (Russia's domestic version, not the export Su-57E) is currently produced at the Sukhoi Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ) in Russia. According to publicly available reports, and confirmed by Rotec officials, KnAAZ delivered 14 Su-57s to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in 2024 and is scheduled to deliver 18 in 2025.
KnAAZ also produces the Su-35 fighter and previously manufactured the Su-27. The plant's proximity to operational units is considered crucial for providing ongoing support and specialist assistance for new aircraft.
The potential shift to Su-57E production at HAL's Nashik facility represents a significant development in Indo-Russian defense cooperation. While no formal agreement has been announced, Rostec's proposal indicates a willingness to deepen industrial collaboration and potentially offer India access to cutting-edge fighter jet technology. The feasibility and timeline of such a transition, however, remain subject to further negotiations and agreements between the two countries.
