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India's Ministry of Defence is evaluating a renewed proposal from Russia to supply its Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter, as the Indian Air Force (IAF) seeks to address a critical shortfall in its combat fleet.
The offer is reportedly being considered as a potential stop-gap measure to modernise India's aerial capabilities while its indigenous advanced combat aircraft program continues development.
Russia's comprehensive offer includes options for both a direct off-the-shelf purchase and, more significantly, licensed production in India.
The proposal suggests manufacturing the advanced jets at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) facility in Nashik. This plant has extensive experience, having produced over 220 Su-30MKI fighters, making it a prime candidate for such a high-tech undertaking.
A key highlight of the deal is the offer of full access to the aircraft's source code, a crucial element that would allow India to integrate its own arsenal of weapons, such as the Astra and Brahmos missiles, and upgrade the jet's systems independently.
The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the IAF, is expected to spend the next several weeks carefully assessing the proposal.
The evaluation comes as the IAF grapples with a combat fleet reduced to approximately 31 squadrons, significantly below the sanctioned strength of 42 required to manage potential two-front threats.
This urgency is compounded by regional developments, including China's progress with its own stealth fighters like the J-35A. Reports suggest India could be looking to procure between 40 and 60 Su-57E jets to counter these emerging challenges.
A notable feature of the latest Russian proposal is the offer to configure the Su-57E to be compatible with systems being developed for the IAF's Su-30MKI fleet upgrade. This would streamline logistics, maintenance, and pilot training, creating valuable synergy between the two platforms.
The focus on local manufacturing at the HAL Nashik plant also strongly aligns with the government's "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiatives, promoting domestic defence production.
The Su-57E is Russia's export version of its premier fifth-generation multirole fighter, designed for air superiority and attack missions.
Its primary features include stealth technology to reduce radar visibility, supermaneuverability for advanced combat agility, and the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds without using afterburners.
While the aircraft is currently powered by the AL-41F1 engine, it is slated to receive the more powerful and efficient 'Izdeliye 30' engine in the future.
This is not the first time India has considered the Su-57 platform. A previous collaboration with Russia, known as the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program, was shelved in 2018.
The decision was made due to concerns over high development costs, disagreements on work-share, and questions regarding the aircraft's engine reliability and stealth capabilities at the time.
However, the pressing need to bridge a looming air power gap before India's own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) becomes operational—expected around 2035—has brought the Russian offer back into consideration.
Should the deal proceed, the Su-57E would become the first fifth-generation fighter to be inducted into the Indian Air Force. This acquisition could provide a significant technological advantage and enhance India's deterrent posture in an increasingly complex security environment, securing the nation's airspace for the coming decade.
