India May Consider Russian Su-57 as Stopgap to Counter China-Pak 5th Gen Jets as AMCA Still Far Away

India's pursuit of its own fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is a testament to the nation's growing defence ambitions. This indigenously designed aircraft promises cutting-edge capabilities like stealth technology, supercruise, and advanced weaponry.

However, the AMCA project faces potential delays, particularly in the development of a suitable engine, which could take six to seven years according to current estimates. This delay has opened a window of vulnerability for India as regional rivals China and Pakistan forge ahead with their own fifth-generation fighter programs.

China has already deployed the Chengdu J-20, and is actively developing other advanced fighter jets like the FC-31. Pakistan is also expected to acquire sophisticated fighter aircraft in collaboration with China. This evolving regional threat landscape has prompted India to re-evaluate its options and consider interim solutions to maintain its air superiority.

One potential solution gaining traction is the acquisition of Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet. Initially, India had reservations about the Su-57 due to concerns about its engine and other technical aspects. However, recent upgrades, particularly the integration of the Izdelie 30 (A51) engine, have reportedly addressed many of these issues. This new engine significantly enhances the Su-57's thrust, fuel efficiency, and stealth capabilities.

The Su-57 boasts advanced radar-absorbent materials and a reduced radar cross-section, making it a formidable stealth aircraft. With these improvements and its full operational status within the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Su-57 is now viewed as a viable option to bridge the gap until the AMCA is ready for deployment.

Procuring the Su-57 offers several advantages for India. Firstly, it allows the Indian Air Force (IAF) to quickly acquire a fifth-generation fighter jet to counter the J-20 and other advanced threats. Secondly, the Su-57 shares similarities with India's existing fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, potentially easing the transition in terms of maintenance, logistics, and pilot training.

While the AMCA remains a crucial long-term goal for India's defense industry, the Su-57 presents a compelling stopgap solution. By acquiring the Su-57, India can ensure its air power remains robust and capable of addressing the evolving challenges in the region. This strategic move underscores India's commitment to maintaining its defense edge in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

 

[tipoo2]

Firstly, I have already explained that Dassault has spare capacity. You couldn’t argue with those numbers. So if you are truly looking for an informed debate, Inwould expect you to stop using that as a negative for Dassault or tell us why not.

Now coming to Su57. I have read that report. But as the drone incident shows, Russia still doesn’t have the know how for stealth. And the price is super high. And the avionics are junk. Even Russia hasn’t placed any fresh orders. They have been claiming to increase production of various weapons but those weapons are still far behind the west. You can look at it all you want, but the fact remains that Russian weapons are a junk and there is no evidence to show that Su57 is any different.

I made both comments before your response. I'll look into it, but I thought most thinking has been they had a backlog and we'd take at least years till delivery. Again I'll look into it.

Russia has an order of 76 in, which is supposed to complete by 2028. They've delivered some 20 of the 76 order. At which point they may order more with the M variant more proven, there's no point in ordering more before the first order can be near complete.

The drone incident shows they don't have the S70 buddy drone down yet. But it's curious how close the Su-57 had to get to Ukranian and western AD to take the S70 down and got out unmolested, while western consensus is its stealth is junk. I'm under no illusion that it's anywhere near an F22 or F35, but going from a gargantuan 10-20m2 RCS of a Su-30 to sub 1M2 is still a massive cut to detection range, and again even if a clean Rafale is similar, a clean Rafale also can't shoot, and would also take RCS ballooning external fuel tanks for such a large internal fuel load as the Su-57.

 

[Anant]

36 Rafale's won't provide you maintenance headache.

Assuming the fleet isn't upsized, it will definitely be a maintenance headache a decade or two down the line. The Mirage 2000 is a good example.

 

[tipoo2]

FGFA could still be made, FGFA and AMCA are different class fighter jets, one is not the replacement for other.

Definitely not instead of AMCA, but as a bridge to AMCA. Seems like we'll just have to sit out fifth gen until the 2040s and that's just to get our first AMCA MK1 squadrons while China's 1000+ improved J20A and J20B's deep and probably ahead of us again on having a few sixth gen squadrons by 2040.

Even if it's the worst of the fifth gen, 214 Su-57's with 43 improvements over them in the FGFA would have made these coming two decades far less scary...

 

[tipoo2]

We should buy 90 Su-57 ans well as 90 Su-75 as US fighters are not for India !

The Su-57 has only just gotten fully baked 10 years later and the Su-75 hasn't even flown yet. That should tell you something. By the time the Su-75 gets the "M" we should be well into AMCA time.

The Su-57M is the only option for a fifth gen bridge to AMCA, unless the US suddenly offered the F35 with no caveats, but even then the IAF has expressed no interest in the latter.

 

[linus52]

I can't understand how Russians will supply to us since they are at war. They couldn't give SU30 to Armenia and S400 to India

They are still running production on All ammunitions and Aircraft production

 

[linus52]

Make a demand to Russia to produce SU57 on India too 50%

 

[Vasugali]

On any day, Russia is a better friend/ choice compared with USA. Also, Rafael is too costly, is a 4.5 gen plane with overflowing order book. As such, SU 57, if allowed full TOT, is a good choice since AMCA appears to be more than a decade away. Even Tejas MkIl has not materialised till date and MKI is being delayed and IAF is apparently heading for a crisis. Perhaps SU 57 could be customized to suit IAF just like SU 30 MKI. IAF must be strengthened to handle a two front war.