India Evaluating Su-57 Stealth Jet's Local Production Offer from Russia, Seeks to Counter China's J-20 and Pakistan's Potential J-35

India is reviewing a significant proposal from Russia for the domestic production of the Sukhoi Su-57, a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. This potential agreement could reshape the long-standing defence relationship between the two countries.

Dmitry Shugaev, Director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), revealed this development at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The proposal falls under India's "Make in India" initiative, which promotes domestic manufacturing.

Shugaev told Sputnik news agency that while India is actively assessing the offer, a final decision is pending. He stressed Russia's willingness to support local manufacturing, potentially at facilities like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). HAL has experience building Russian-designed aircraft, including the Su-30MKI.

The Su-57 could be a crucial asset for India, which is looking to modernize its air force in light of increasing tensions with China and Pakistan.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates a fleet of primarily fourth-generation fighters. This includes Russian Su-30MKIs, French Rafales, and domestically produced Tejas aircraft.

However, it lacks a fifth-generation fighter to rival China's Chengdu J-20 or Pakistan's possible future acquisition of the Shenyang J-35 (a smaller, export-oriented version of the FC-31 Gyrfalcon).

The Su-57, designed to attack both air and ground targets, carry long-range missiles, and evade radar detection, could provide the IAF with 5th-gen air-power capability, potentially at a lower cost than Western alternatives like the Lockheed Martin F-35.

Russia is actively promoting the Su-57 on the international market, highlighting its combat experience in Ukraine. Russian officials, including Shugaev, at IDEX 2025, showcased the jet's adaptability and dependability, presenting it as an aircraft that balances performance and cost-effectiveness.

The offer of local production is especially appealing to India. It would reduce dependence on imports, generate employment, and allow for modifications to suit India's specific operational requirements, including adapting to its varied terrain and climate.

The Su-57 is equipped with advanced features such as supercruise capability (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners), advanced radar systems, and internal weapons bays to reduce radar signature.

Shugaev's comments indicate that Russia is offering more than just a sales agreement. They are proposing a co-production framework that could include technology transfer and joint development. This approach is reminiscent of previous collaborations, such as the earlier Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program.

The FGFA program, which aimed to create an Indian-specific variant of the Su-57, was discontinued in 2018. Concerns included cost increases, disagreements over technology sharing, and doubts about the aircraft's performance.

Russia seems to be addressing these past concerns, with officials at IDEX 2025 highlighting a more adaptable and open partnership approach. There are also unconfirmed reports that development of an upgraded Su-57M variant is ongoing, potentially offering even greater capabilities.

 

[Phantom]

Better to cancel MRFA and make 110 SU-57s and fit them with all the avionics and radar made for the AMCA program and Indian missiles. It's a good option for the IAF. Indian items will never be allowed in US jets. It would also be nice if we can get 2 squadrons of F-35Bs for the 4 Juan Carlos-class Amphibious Assault ships that L&T is building for the Navy, along with 24 more MH-60 Romeos. This way, the S-400 wouldn't cause any problems for F-35s.

 

[sanket]

Su-57, I have been telling for 2 months, Russia will offer local production plus export opportunity & a customized variant, waiting for Putin's visit. Su-57 fits well in Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat. With Dassault unwilling to share ToT, assembling with local pvt players & wanting 100% stake in DRAL, this will make total control of fighter jet production & export opportunities within themselves. Second, with a customized variant, France needs to integrate indigenous or third-party sensors, weapons, and tech features. Su-57 fits well under Make in India, oh & F-35 will be offered with fly-away condition with F-21 attachment, ha ha ha. Virupaksha GaN-based AESA radar is perfect with further improvement & modification with an increase of TRM, given the nose size of the Su-57. All indigenous weapons like Astra family, Rudram family, SAAW, Brahmos, Nirbhay, NASM-anti-ship missile, etc., can be easily integrated with autonomy, sharing of source code where Western countries show unwillingness.

 

[ryan]

SU-57 is a half-baked, half-hearted, non-battle-tested product. It's at best a PoC or a technology demonstrator. With its gigantic RCS & exposed air intakes, it doesn't stand a chance in front of Western 4.5++ gen fighters. Acrobatics in airshows & Pugachev theatrics don't win BVR battles in today's world. No wonder the IAF has given it a cold shoulder.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

Is India considering purchasing both F-35s and Su-57s? India will purchase some number of F-35s; that's 100% sure. The Su-57 is not a true 5th-gen jet, and it also has Chinese components. I think India is very confused right now.

 

[VF VF1]

Su-57 is a starter with only engines and the body from Russia. We need an Indian mission computer and radar in it, with both Russian and Indian missiles. Then, we can think of local production, with an export option to the Middle East and other countries from India, with MRO for engines as well. Major ToT is needed in the engine area. Even then, India can only afford 3 squadrons.

 

[VF VF1]

Is India considering purchasing both F-35s and Su-57s? India will purchase some number of F-35s; that's 100% sure. The Su-57 is not a true 5th-gen jet, and it also has Chinese components. I think India is very confused right now.

Very confused... AMCA taking more than 10 years, no Tejas as GE engine is stalled, even Tejas Mk2 is delayed as no GE 414 contract in place. Su-57 with Russian mission computer and radar is a non-starter - useless. F-35 cannot integrate with Indian sensor system as we are Russian + Indian/Israeli sensors at best w.r.t. Radar extensions. Can't spend money on F-35/Su-57 as we need money for our AMCA. 110kN engine nowhere in sight... and AL-31FP engine is an old engine. Due to IP can't upgrade it as we strictly follow contracts...and don't reverse engineer... Seriously confused, no solution is the best solution today. Grim situation today with PAK and China fielding 5th gen fighters.

 

[Frank]

Has everyone gone mad???

S-57 is worse than garbage as a 5th gen fighter.

We literally opted out of the program after wasting crores.

 

[Alok Gupta]

Su-57 is a starter with only engines and the body from Russia. We need an Indian mission computer and radar in it, with both Russian and Indian missiles. Then, we can think of local production, with an export option to the Middle East and other countries from India, with MRO for engines as well. Major ToT is needed in the engine area. Even then, India can only afford 3 squadrons.

India is still to create the avionics, FC computer, and other technologies for the AMCA. It will take a long time to incubate these upper-end technologies and test them before installing them into the Su-57. If India can't get the F-35 on par with NATO, then we need to concentrate on developing the AMCA. The Su-57 is just a flying machine and doesn't have much else to offer in terms of 5th gen.

 

[kumar]

Only if given with Izdeliye 30 engines and if F-35s are not purchased.

 

[CCPSmasher]

Propaganda article. India left the PAKFA, aka SU57, project on various factors - not being an actual 5th gen platform, Russkies' inability to do honest ToT to India, etc. Now, India won't turn around and say "YES, LET'S DO IT." Nah fam, this junk is done.

 

[WarTech]

Better to cancel MRFA and make 110 SU-57s and fit them with all the avionics and radar made for the AMCA program and Indian missiles. It's a good option for the IAF. Indian items will never be allowed in US jets. It would also be nice if we can get 2 squadrons of F-35Bs for the 4 Juan Carlos-class Amphibious Assault ships that L&T is building for the Navy, along with 24 more MH-60 Romeos. This way, the S-400 wouldn't cause any problems for F-35s.

Not gonna happen, little bro. Are they retarded to sell both F-35 and Su-57 to a single country?

 

[WarTech]

SU-57 is a half-baked, half-hearted, non-battle-tested product. It's at best a PoC or a technology demonstrator. With its gigantic RCS & exposed air intakes, it doesn't stand a chance in front of Western 4.5++ gen fighters. Acrobatics in airshows & Pugachev theatrics don't win BVR battles in today's world. No wonder the IAF has given it a cold shoulder.

Precisely. Russia is good at quantity, but not quality. The Su-57 is the worst 5th gen jet, with the best being the F-22, F-35, J-20, and J-35, and then the Su-57. It won't be useful against the Chinese, because those buggers stole F-22 and F-35 blueprints and made their jets, while Russia did not have as much access to stolen tech. And their radar tech is reverse-engineered from the Russians. The best of both worlds. They could easily detect Su-57s, whereas they would struggle to detect an F-35.

Not saying anything about buying any particular jet, but stating the hard facts.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

To be honest, I think it's a 4.5-gen jet. A lot more improvement needs to be done in terms of design. When it comes to some tech, India can do jugaad by using desi or Israeli tech in it.

Regarding the F-35, bringing it home means surrendering strategic autonomy. We have no idea what the dos and don'ts are attached with this stealth bird. Could be many.

 

[swatkats_razor]

These Russians also only want to collaborate with HAL.

Reason is simple, with HAL, they are guaranteed of continued business for the lifetime of the aircraft sold. Everybody knows that HAL can't do jack shit even with 100% transfer of technology.

Private players ko de daala, then within a few years the Russians will be out of the scenery.

 

[Surfer]

Not gonna happen, little bro. Are they retarded to sell both F-35 and Su-57 to a single country?

It is very well possible. The US already offered F-35Bs for the LHDs in 2010 to the Navy of a country with 90% Russian items. Why not now? Only now they are offering F-35As, if we buy some other jet of theirs.

 

[Anant]

It is very well possible. The US already offered F-35Bs for the LHDs in 2010 to the Navy of a country with 90% Russian items. Why not now? Only now they are offering F-35As, if we buy some other jet of theirs.

Nope. The US never offered the F-35. The Navy had a briefing with LM around 2010, but a briefing is something most nations can get.

Moreover, given the high-tech nature of these jets, if and when we buy one type, the other type is essentially locked out. It is one or the other or neither.

 

[P.K Senapati]

We need this stealth fighter aircraft, Su-57, as made in India, along with the stealth engine, Al-51.HAL and other private or public sector companies can be partners in subsystems and spare parts.

 

[Sanca]

SU-57 is a half-baked, half-hearted, non-battle-tested product. It's at best a PoC or a technology demonstrator. With its gigantic RCS & exposed air intakes, it doesn't stand a chance in front of Western 4.5++ gen fighters. Acrobatics in airshows & Pugachev theatrics don't win BVR battles in today's world. No wonder the IAF has given it a cold shoulder.

So, the only time a Su-57 and an F-35 were at the same air show, the Americans came up with a pathetic excuse that they didn't have a pilot available to fly it. Doesn't that sound like a similar excuse Pakistan had when the JF-17 and Tejas were at the same show?

The Russians didn't hide and took up the challenge; that shows confidence in its abilities. It may not have the stealth features of the F-35, but it has better performance overall. Also, it's better than both Chinese fighter jets China and Pakistan will have. Notice how Russia didn't offer this to China. I bet the Chinese would love to get this offer instead.

 

[WarTech]

So, the only time a Su-57 and an F-35 were at the same air show, the Americans came up with a pathetic excuse that they didn't have a pilot available to fly it. Doesn't that sound like a similar excuse Pakistan had when the JF-17 and Tejas were at the same show?

The Russians didn't hide and took up the challenge; that shows confidence in its abilities. It may not have the stealth features of the F-35, but it has better performance overall. Also, it's better than both Chinese fighter jets China and Pakistan will have. Notice how Russia didn't offer this to China. I bet the Chinese would love to get this offer instead.

China won't ever buy. Maybe 1-3 for reverse engineering, that's it. They have a far better jet in the J-20.

 

[Arson07]

Careful consideration of the Su-57 needs to be done, nothing too much yet a slight involvement. American jets are ruled out of the question due to several factors: maintenance costs, trust, and new platform exposure. We have never ever operated a single American jet, so the introduction of 5th gen American tech is way too challenging and complex. Russian dependence has been our primary feature, so we need to consider the Su-57. It still needs a lot of work, but it's better we collaborate on it in some manner. The primary reason I consider is the growing tech gap with contemporaries and the 0% reliability of our own institutions... endless delays... AMCA will take min 10 years... the world isn't stopping for 10 years, though...