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In a significant strategic proposal, Russia is actively encouraging India to become a central partner in the production and global export of its Su-57E stealth fighter.
The offer, which goes well beyond a standard procurement deal, aims to establish India as a manufacturing hub, potentially revitalizing the fifth-generation fighter program that has been hampered by slow sales and international sanctions.
Moscow is reportedly prepared to send a technical team to India to further discuss this comprehensive partnership.
This ambitious proposal comes as Russia’s Su-57 fighter jet program faces considerable challenges. Developed by Sukhoi, the aircraft is Moscow's answer to competitors like the American F-35 and China's J-20.
However, the fighter's introduction into the Russian Aerospace Forces has been sluggish, with estimates suggesting only a small number of units are currently operational.
This slow domestic adoption, combined with production delays, has made international buyers hesitant, leading to a lack of export orders.
Furthermore, stringent Western sanctions, particularly the U.S. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), have complicated financial transactions and technology transfers, pushing Russia to seek strategic alliances with non-Western powers.
The offer to India, which gained momentum at the Aero India 2025 exhibition, is multifaceted.
Russia’s state defence export agency, Rosoboronexport, has proposed an initial sale of 20-30 fighters, followed by licensed production at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Nashik facility, which has a long history of assembling Russian aircraft like the Su-30MKI.
A key component of the deal is a full Transfer of Technology (ToT), including access to source codes. This would allow India to integrate its own advanced indigenous systems, such as the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and the Virupaksha sensor suite, creating a customized variant for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The most groundbreaking element of the proposal is the offer of export rights. Russia is reportedly willing to authorize India to manufacture and sell the Su-57E to other countries. This marks a significant departure from previous collaborations, such as the Su-30MKI agreement.
While India successfully produced the Su-30MKI under license, its attempts to export the aircraft were largely unsuccessful as potential buyers often preferred to purchase directly from Russia.
By potentially turning HAL into a global supplier for the Su-57E, Moscow hopes an Indian endorsement will trigger a "domino effect," similar to how India’s large order of 272 Su-30MKIs boosted the aircraft's credibility and led to sales in over a dozen other nations.
For India, the proposal offers several strategic advantages. The IAF is currently operating with approximately 31 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, creating a critical capability gap.
The Su-57E could serve as a crucial stop-gap measure to counter the growing presence of advanced aircraft in the region, including China's J-20 and Pakistan's anticipated acquisition of the J-35.
The deal would also provide a major boost to India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" and "Make in India" initiatives by enhancing its defence manufacturing ecosystem and supporting the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, which is expected to see its first flight by 2029.
However, the path to finalizing such a deal is filled with significant obstacles. The threat of U.S. CAATSA sanctions remains a primary concern for New Delhi, which has already faced complications over its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system.
Additionally, establishing a mutually agreeable payment mechanism for a multi-billion dollar contract in the face of international financial restrictions is a complex challenge.
There is also considerable skepticism within India's defence establishment regarding Russia's willingness to cede control over export markets, with officials seeking firm guarantees to avoid a repeat of the Su-30MKI experience where Russia continued to sell similar variants directly.
