India Likely to Wait Out Su-57E Acquisition Until Ukraine War Ends to Avoid Western Sanctions

India’s potential acquisition of the Russian Su-57E fifth-generation fighter jet is expected to remain on hold until the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

This strategic pause is primarily driven by New Delhi's intention to shield itself from significant economic and diplomatic sanctions currently imposed by the United States and European nations.

Strategic Deliberations and Technical Dialogues​

While high-level procurement remains frozen, technical and exploratory discussions between Indian and Russian officials are still active.

However, sources indicate that the Indian government is not prepared to enter into any legally binding contracts given the volatile global political climate.

The memory of international pressure regarding the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)—which previously complicated India's purchase of the S-400 missile system—remains a pivotal factor in this cautious approach.

Evaluating Local Production and Immediate Needs​

The proposal under review involves a two-pronged strategy:

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): The state-run aerospace major is assessing a Russian offer for the domestic manufacture of the Su-57E. This aligns with the national "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives aimed at achieving self-reliance in defence production.
• Indian Air Force (IAF): The IAF is simultaneously examining a government-to-government agreement for the rapid induction of two to three squadrons. This includes a comprehensive review of the aircraft’s advanced radar systems and engine technology.

Despite these evaluations, a final commitment from the IAF has not been confirmed.

The possibility of triggering Western sanctions that could disrupt broader economic and defence partnerships remains a heavyweight consideration for Indian policymakers.

Bridging the Capability Gap​

The Su-57E is currently viewed as a temporary "stop-gap" to address the IAF's declining fighter squadron strength.

It is intended to serve as a bridge until India's domestic aerospace projects, such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Tejas Mk2, reach operational maturity.

According to recent reports from Aero India 2025 and Wings India 2026, the Su-57E offers several high-end capabilities:

• Stealth and Supercruise: Designed for low radar visibility and sustained supersonic flight without afterburners.
• Localisation Potential: Russian officials have suggested that 40–60% of the jet could eventually be built in India, leveraging existing Su-30MKI production lines in Nashik.

The Geopolitical Challenge​

The ongoing war in Ukraine has fundamentally shifted the landscape of international arms trade. With Moscow under an intense global sanctions regime, any major military transaction is subject to extreme scrutiny.

For India, the decision involves a delicate balancing act: maintaining its historical defence ties with Russia while strengthening its growing strategic alliances with the West.

Consequently, senior officials are meticulously weighing the operational necessity of acquiring a fifth-generation platform against the potential for severe diplomatic and economic blowback.

Until the conflict stabilizes and international sanctions are eased, the Su-57E project will likely remain an open option that is not currently being prioritised for immediate execution.

 

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[Rishi]

So means our decision making depends on others works

 

[JB]

Discussions are ongoing between India and the US with regard to a waiver. Furthermore CAATSA does not cease to exist when the Russia Ukraine war ends. It should be noted that pursuant to unofficial assurances from the US (due to threat perceptions within the subcontinent) this project is moving forward as planned.

 

[Madan]

If India keeps worring about sanctions, then SU 57 will never come. As it is our babus are masters of delaying the things, SU 57 won't be available till after 2050. Take the Bull by the horns and face the reality. India has to worry about three border war. Successive Indian Governments have been afraid of the Chinese and never took any step to face them. The Monster has grown very big now and has to be taken at the face value. Rafale alone isn't good enough to counter it. SU 57 has become a must to have it. IAF can't sleep over it. Forget about AMCA or MK II for the present and focus on having a fifth generation jet rather than spending huge amounts on piling up fourth generation jets. India doesn't have a stable Defence Think Tank which can plan for the long term. Our defence policy keep changing with change of IAF chiefs, DM , Defence Secretary and change of Government. Each have his own obsessions. India can't depend on one PM , DM , DS or an IAF chief for the long term defence policies. A core thinking group is must to have stable Defence policy whose decisions couldn't be overuled by one person.

 

[sunnyp343]

Don't buy su 57. I just read another article. Where they say it's not at all a stealth fighter like f35 or f22. It's radar cross section is 1000x greater than f35.

 

[KRI43515]

Well at this moment when china is operating a massive fleet alongside mass numbers of 5th gen aircrafts it's important that we do get a stopgap platform even Pakistan recent deals regarding j35 and the fact that we have a major operational Unreadiness given our depleting fleet we need su 57 to be a filler until amca comes up rest I mean even 114 rafale even right now to me seems inadequate either tejas deliveries start or maybe su35 is still a platform that can help out

 

[KRI43515]

Don't buy su 57. I just read another article. Where they say it's not at all a stealth fighter like f35 or f22. It's radar cross section is 1000x greater than f35.

Mate try to see the platform must be a western one because for them anything else than f35 Or f22 is not stealth be it su 57 or j20 or j35

 

[sunnyp343]

Mate try to see the platform must be a western one because for them anything else than f35 Or f22 is not stealth be it su 57 or j20 or j35

But why russia failed to utilise su57 in Ukraine war?