Major General Emphasizes 30/60/10 Rule for India's Potential Acquisition of Su-57 Fighter Jets

Major General S B Asthana recently addressed India's potential acquisition of Russia's Su-57 stealth fighter, emphasizing the critical need for the Indian Armed Forces to maintain a balance of cutting-edge, current, and older military equipment.

He highlighted the "30/60/10 rule," which suggests an ideal composition of 30% state-of-the-art systems, 60% current-generation equipment, and only 10% obsolete inventory. This balanced approach, he argued, ensures operational readiness while allowing for continuous technological upgrades.

India is actively pursuing indigenous defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. However, acquiring certain advanced technologies remains a challenge. The Su-57, with its stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and fifth-generation features, represents an opportunity to bolster India's combat edge in the short term.

While India has made significant progress in domestic defence production, exemplified by the Tejas fighter and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, some areas still require external collaboration or procurement.

Maj Gen Asthana acknowledged this reality, stating that "there are certain systems where we have not yet developed the technology to the desired level. In such cases, acquiring proven platforms becomes essential to maintain operational readiness."

The Su-57, designed to compete with advanced fighters like the American F-35 and Chinese J-20, offers India a chance to enhance its air dominance capabilities. Its stealth features, supersonic cruise ability, and integrated avionics could provide a significant advantage in contested airspaces.

Unlike developmental projects that can take years to mature, procuring operationally ready equipment like the Su-57 allows for immediate integration into the force structure. Maj Gen Asthana emphasized this advantage, stating that "acquiring such equipment ensures its readiness for deployment the moment it is inducted."

However, he also cautioned that the decision to acquire the Su-57 must be carefully considered in light of India's strategic requirements, budgetary constraints, and the broader goal of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing. This balanced perspective highlights the complexities involved in modernizing India's armed forces and the need for a strategic approach that balances immediate needs with long-term goals.

 

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[JB]

While India takes small baby steps towards self reliance it cannot afford to fall behind it's northern neighbor no matter the cost. But that is precisely what has happened and any skirmish will most definitely be unfavorable. The acquisition of SU 57s is a logical extension of its military hardware while maintaining a defensive posture at a justifiable and healthy cost benefit proposition.

 

[R. Singh]

Why not Bharat buy India specific 60+ Su-57 (I) ? But powered by latest gen engines not AL- engines !

 

[Vilas Raje]

Doesn't seems India has too many options..AMCA & Aatmanirbhar is very logical ,obvious & wishful solution but there are too many other aspects at stake...India is lagging far behind on 5th Gen Technology with China already having J20s in sizable nos in their inventory and Pakistan almost poised to get it any day from now, again in good numbers, India does not have an option to wait another 20-25 years. We need good 5th Gen Technology & need it NOW. Even if US offers this technology in form of F35 or any other option it cannot be reliable option..GE engines for Tejas is a classic case. There are hardly any options from Europe..That leaves only Russians along with somehow fast tracking AMCA.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

India should purchase it under MRFA. I see within few years, it would be completed. If licensed production and considerable ToT is allowed then India should go for it and modify it with some Israeli techs.

 

[PKPRS]

Better cancel MRFA and go for G2G deal of 3-4 squadrons, better than any available 4th gen aircraft for the money.

 

[sanket]

MRFA or Su-57 Bharat havent seen serious Just Talks

 

[Mridul baruah]

Better cancel MRFA and go for G2G deal of 3-4 squadrons, better than any available 4th gen aircraft for the money.

Not as easy. 5th Gen fighters are not meant for day to day tasks .... you still need the 4th and 4.5th Gen for those roles. Considering that Mig-21s and Jaguars are on its last leg. Mirage 2000s will have spare issues we need the platforms to replace them. Unfortunately, the Tejas is going what it does best...delay, delay, delay.

 

[Raju]

IAF Should purchase at least 54 aircraft's Asap.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Recent news articles say SU57 prototypes are integrated with izdeliye 30 engines with rectangular nozzle. We must check them out once these things are proven and inducted by Russian Air Force. If they suit our requirements get upto 3 squadrons of SU57. AMCA won't enter in our IAF before 2040.

 

[Satya Dev]

I think we should go for 4sqdns (84 birds) of Su-57 & 2 more sqdns (36 birds) of Rafales. As the proverb goes - one bird (Su-57) in hand is worth two birds (AMCA) in the bush!

 

[surinder kumar saini]

India should keep in mind the non supply of spare parts by Russia as it had been experienced in the past.

 

[Rajesh]

Have to have the money. Otherwise spend too much on weapons then you become Pakistan.

One thing the author failed to consider that even if you have large number of modern weapons, but they don’t work like the case with Chinese hardware then what is point of modern hardware.

 

[vasu gali]

Reasonably priced SU 57 with full TOT is the best choice compared to the costly but 4.5 generation Rafael or US products with attached political strings

 

[tipoo2]

Recent news articles say SU57 prototypes are integrated with izdeliye 30 engines with rectangular nozzle. We must check them out once these things are proven and inducted by Russian Air Force. If they suit our requirements get upto 3 squadrons of SU57. AMCA won't enter in our IAF before 2040.

And the rear radar blockers, joining the frontal radar blockers. With the new nozzle and rear radar blocker it's surely better on side and rear stealth than any fourth gen, as much as it gets criticism for only meeting late fourth gen on frontal RCS, which is likely not even true since fourth gen wasn't using substructure honeycombs to further reduce radar return like we've seen all over this.

I think India should at least reevaluate the finalized Su-57M product with the new 2D canted nozzles and front and rear radar blockers

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

When Pakistan purchased f16 in beginning of 1980 India was panic and purchased latest variant of mig 23, mirage 2000 and mig29. Now the situation seems like the same as j35 purchase but this time we will not buy any weapons because we have powerful airforce and we can able to outmatch anything

 

[P.K Senapati]

To meet immediate requirements, we can purchase 2 squadrons of Su-75 from Russia as Pakistan is getting J-35 from China. We can be partners in joint development and make the Su-75 single-engine fighter in India. AMCA development can go on in parallel as a twin-engine fighter.

 

[tipoo2]

Have to have the money. Otherwise spend too much on weapons then you become Pakistan.

One thing the author failed to consider that even if you have large number of modern weapons, but they don’t work like the case with Chinese hardware then what is point of modern hardware.

We spend 2.4% of GDP on defence, and are the fastest major growing economy on earth. This is no Soviet Union overspend situation. Defense budget can be increased year after year while decreasing it as a percent of GDP or debt. And major deals like MRFA would be paid out over many years.

 

[PKPRS]

Not as easy. 5th Gen fighters are not meant for day to day tasks .... you still need the 4th and 4.5th Gen for those roles. Considering that Mig-21s and Jaguars are on its last leg. Mirage 2000s will have spare issues we need the platforms to replace them. Unfortunately, the Tejas is going what it does best...delay, delay, delay.

Our Tejas MK2 is more than adequate for combat, Tejas MK1A is adequate to do day to day duties like sorties along the border and scrambling enemy jets when they cross the border by mistake..

 

[PKPRS]

Recent news articles say SU57 prototypes are integrated with izdeliye 30 engines with rectangular nozzle. We must check them out once these things are proven and inducted by Russian Air Force. If they suit our requirements get upto 3 squadrons of SU57. AMCA won't enter in our IAF before 2040.

SU-75 with stealth engine and stealth nozzle will be even more stealthier thsn SU-57 due to the stealthy shape.

 

[PKPRS]

I think we should go for 4sqdns (84 birds) of Su-57 & 2 more sqdns (36 birds) of Rafales. As the proverb goes - one bird (Su-57) in hand is worth two birds (AMCA) in the bush!

It will take 15 years to get Rafales, when we start producing Tejas MK2 in 2028 what is the need for another 4th gen expensive jet.

 

[Somebody]

India should keep in mind the non supply of spare parts by Russia as it had been experienced in the past.

Russians have enough spares to mske 20 SU-57/year, Dassault currently makes only 10-12 Rafale’s/Year, so who has spares issue.

 

[tipoo2]

SU-75 with stealth engine and stealth nozzle will be even more stealthier thsn SU-57 due to the stealthy shape.

The Su-57 has just gotten nearly fully baked 10 years after flying, the Su-75 hasn't just not flown yet but they're still looking for a partner to fund it. It'll only be ready well into AMCA timeline. The Su57 is the only fifth gen stopgap available to us to bridge that, unless the F35 was unlikely cleared.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

When Pakistan purchased f16 in beginning of 1980 India was panic and purchased latest variant of mig 23, mirage 2000 and mig29. Now the situation seems like the same as j35 purchase but this time we will not buy any weapons because we have powerful airforce and we can able to outmatch anything

Our Sq. strength is diminishing while China is adding improved version of J20 and Pak is also adding new jets every year. You may dismiss made in china, but remember it still pose threat to us because it can still kill.

 

[Anant]

Russians have enough spares to mske 20 SU-57/year, Dassault currently makes only 10-12 Rafale’s/Year, so who has spares issue.

And yet Russia is building less than half a dozen Su-57s a year, and that was the case even before they invaded Ukraine. That tell you something?

 

[Anant]

We spend 2.4% of GDP on defence, and are the fastest major growing economy on earth. This is no Soviet Union overspend situation. Defense budget can be increased year after year while decreasing it as a percent of GDP or debt. And major deals like MRFA would be paid out over many years.

We spend less than 2% on defence. We slipped below that number in 2021-22. Part of the reason we have slipped is because our GDP is growing faster than government revenues are, and we need to manage our deficits and debt wisely.

 

[Mayank Shukla]

How can India exit from the Su-57 when they have nothing of their own? If the Su-57 had issues, there will be more issues in AMCA. How can India even think they can outrun Russia in jet technology, no matter how new it is? Kaveri? Tejas? Imaginary plane AMCA?

 

[rtnguy]

The recent price of 7 billion Euros for 27 Rafale jets for the Navy is proof that the Rafale is an overpriced aircraft. India can easily get 54 Su-57 jets for the same price. Don't even think of the F-35, as the F-35 is a remote-controlled drone that will be useless in war.

 

[tipoo2]

We spend less than 2% on defence. We slipped below that number in 2021-22. Part of the reason we have slipped is because our GDP is growing faster than government revenues are, and we need to manage our deficits and debt wisely.

Fair, and even more to my point. Overspend on defence doesn't seem like a major issue, twiddling our thumbs for too long and extending legacy hardware well past its best by date is more the problem.