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.

 

[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...

 

[Sanca]

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

The J-20 will be eaten alive; it's no match. Just compare the engines both planes have. The J-20 is slow and underpowered.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

If India is serious about it, it should get complete control, including full export and IP control and 100% ToT, and go for joint production. For the PAK-FA, it was said that they were not willing to work with Indian scientists and engineers.

This time, they should work with the Indian team, sharing all the work equally, not "we do crucial work and you do nuts and bolts making"—no way.

And they should offer the AL-41 engine also as a package deal, with the condition that they should offer the AL-51 when it's ready after the testing that it undergoes.

It's a multi-billion dollar deal, and hence India should dictate the terms. If Russia doesn't agree, there are others eagerly waiting.

 

[WarTech]

The J-20 will be eaten alive; it's no match. Just compare the engines both planes have. The J-20 is slow and underpowered.

Eaten alive 💀💀. Engine may not be as good as US ones, but Russian and Chinese jets are very similar, where Russia is little better than them. In other parameters, the J-20 dominates. The J-20 has far more stealth, is in higher numbers, and the overall tech is superior (because they stole it from the US). Russia is very good at quantity, not quality.

 

[मित्र]

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.

HAL already has a Nashik assembly line of Su-30s, which can be tweaked for Su-57s. It will be a time- and cost-saving move.

 

[मित्र]

Let's cancel MRFA and assemble 110 Su-57s locally, with the initial batch having AL-41s and the later batch with AL-51s.
We should get engine tech.
Exporting from India will be a win-win for both India and Russia.

 

[beencensured]

Eaten alive 💀💀. Engine may not be as good as US ones, but Russian and Chinese jets are very similar, where Russia is little better than them. In other parameters, the J-20 dominates. The J-20 has far more stealth, is in higher numbers, and the overall tech is superior (because they stole it from the US). Russia is very good at quantity, not quality.

From what I hear, the J-20 has better stealth features than the Su-57. The Russian jet has better maneuverability. America has said the Chinese have developed good tactics with their J-20.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

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.

AL51 looks sci-fi. Private sector should be given chance to assemble the engine or body.

 

[Pad UwU]

This offer is another once-in-a-lifetime jackpot for India. If GOI is still dilly-dallying, we will become another laughingstock for China if we don't grab the offer from Russia to get SU-57 co-production with TOTs.... The F-35 of the US is good but has so many drawbacks. Remember, Turkey got punished by the US government 😹😹😹

 

[Rokuth]

If India does end up getting the Su-57, will they develop a two-seater like they originally wanted on the FGFA?

 

[skyfall21]

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.

Got to buy F-21 first, before F 35 can be offered to India.

 

[Phantom]

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

They are products from different countries and will be sold independently from each other. It is Indians who will decide which product, if they want both.