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.

 

[Karan Gogoi]

Don't know about half-baked or half-hearted, but the Russians have definitely been testing it in Ukraine. As to the results of such tests, there really isn't much information. Russian Air Force performance as a whole has been underwhelming.

You do have a fair point about RCS. All 5th Gen aircraft have blended engine nacelles with the fuselage--except the Su-57. Engine and avionics too seem to be having issues. Difficult times for Russian industry.

I think the Russian Air Force is the only modern airforce that has been up against a peer adversary in the last 4 decades, facing a diverse range of saturated AD and EW envelopes. Hence, they are facing air dominance issues, though I would argue they have air superiority.

Blended nacelles - it's a lengthy, complex issue, but the gist is that the Su-57 was primarily built upon the Su-27 platform (the USSR's most profitable export). Designing something stealthy from the ground up is super expensive, and Sukhoi/Russia during the 90s couldn't really afford it, so adopting stealth characteristics on an already reliable platform was the logical way forward for them to save costs and development time.

As a result, Sukhoi couldn't really rearrange the complete structure and have a blended "box" fuselage, instead adopting a frontal stealth aspect for the kind of air doctrine Russia has. Later iterations did have a modified airframe to be more stealthy, but the layout is the same. Sukhoi, if you read about it, did test flat combiner nozzles, suited for deep stealth, complete or deep S-ducts, and blended nacelles, but all these made the aircraft much heavier with a noticeable drop in performance. Hence, it was abandoned in favor of frontal stealth and other considerations.This is similar to the F-35, which also forgoes rear hemisphere stealth.

Also, nacelles are easier to open to access engine mechanics and part replacement, befitting the Russian simplicity philosophy.
The idea was to (I think) make an airframe that works even if stealth fails. Only stealth is terrible against a peer adversary. Given the advancements in radar and detection tech, that's not too far-fetched of a thinking. Stealth is as of yet untested in peer-level combat, and it can be countered.
The Su-57 has the most comprehensive counter-stealth sensor suite to date, with two IR systems and a dual-band radar, 2 L-band radars in the leading edge extensions, etc., which might offset its comparatively higher RCS to other 5th-gen jets.

The Su-57 also applies major RCS reductions, like eliminating vertical surfaces and shielding the engines: variable ramps in semi-S-shaped inlet valves and radar blockers.

The Su-75, however, doesn't compromise on anything stealth and follows every stealth principle from the ground up. Hence, 100% stealth characteristics can be witnessed in its proposed prototype. But let's see where that ends up.

Engine issues are largely over with the AL-51 and AL-51F1 engines.

 

[Karan Gogoi]

Carriers are costly to acquire, maintain, and operate. Perhaps India can use that money better and not get into a pointless race with China.

Russia hasn't invested much in the MiG-29 over the years; most of the funds have gone to the Su-27/30/35 platform.

For a cost perspective, it would be best to invest significantly in the Rafale program for both the IAF and IN.

That leaves 5th Gen... given HAL's track record, it seems AMCA is more than a decade away. Su-57 would come sooner, but it too needs a lot of work. The entire Su-57 program hinges on Indian participation, so, played well, we might get a good deal.

You need at least 2-3 carrier strike groups just to keep pace and defend the Indian Ocean. Race with China or not.
China isn't shy on deploying its fleet in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, closer to their base in the Horn of Africa.

 

[beencensured]

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.

But then some are saying cost $33 million and some say $50 million a plane.

We can upgrade it? Certainly, have radar and other technologies, but then. Right now, focus on AMCA seems best. Only Russian timelines are anywhere close to what we need. F-35, if deal signed, then 2029; Russia, if deal signed, then next year. AMCA prototype would be out by 2026, and if successful, production could be had earlier. Remember, the most important thing about AMCA is stealth; 100% payload capacity is defeating the purpose of stealth.

The only people offering in that sweet spot timeline is Russia. The rest, it is best to take our own risk, as by 2029, there would be a new government in the USA.

 

[RSG]

India will neither go with Russian Slow production rate nor go with Used American F35. India will collaborate with reliable French Dassault with joint production with UAE. Bingo!

 

[sishir]

First of all it is not a proven aircraft in warfare. Secondly Russia today lives under the pressure of Big Brother China. So if China is a country against which we want to be ready. Then it will be stupid even if price is competitive and make in India is done.

 

[Sshivash]

As someone suggested at Aero India show at Yelahanka Air Force Base, it’s time to privatize HAL. Let TATA or L&T take over.