In a significant proposal aimed at strengthening its long-standing defence partnership with India, Russia has formally offered its Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter jet packaged with the advanced S-70 Okhotnik-B heavy combat drone.
According to Russian sources, the offer centres on creating a Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) system, designed to equip the Indian Air Force (IAF) with formidable deep-strike capabilities by allowing the fighter and drone to operate together on complex missions.
The Su-57E is the export model of Russia's Su-57 "Felon," a twin-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed for air-to-air and air-to-ground warfare.
As Russia's first operational stealth fighter, it boasts features such as supercruise (the ability to fly at sustained supersonic speeds without using afterburners), advanced avionics, and an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
The aircraft is marketed as a direct competitor to Western counterparts like the American F-35.
For the IAF, which operates a large fleet of over 270 Russian-made Su-30MKI jets, adopting the Su-57E could offer a smoother technological transition and logistical advantages.
A key element of this new package is the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B, a stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).
Built with a "flying wing" design and extensive use of composite materials and radar-absorbent coatings, the Okhotnik is engineered for low observability.
Weighing approximately 20 tonnes with a wingspan of around 20 metres (65 feet), the drone shares engine types with other Russian fighters.
It is powered by either the AL-31F engine, which is used in India's current Su-30MKI fleet, or the more modern AL-41F from the Su-57. This potential for engine commonality could significantly simplify maintenance and supply chains for the IAF.
The true innovation in the Russian offer lies in the teaming of these two platforms.
The Okhotnik-B is designed to serve as a loyal wingman, controlled by the pilot of the Su-57E. This MUMT configuration allows the drone to fly into heavily contested airspace to conduct intelligence gathering, surveillance, electronic warfare, or precision strikes with its internal payload capacity of up to 2.8 tonnes.
With a reported combat range of 6,000 km, the Okhotnik-B can penetrate deep into enemy territory to neutralize high-value targets like air defence systems, command bunkers, and critical infrastructure, all while reducing the risk to the manned fighter jet.
Recent tests in Russia have reportedly focused on the drone engaging targets under the Su-57's command, validating the concept.
This proposal arrives in the context of India's evolving security landscape.
The offer's emphasis on deep-strike capabilities is particularly relevant following recent regional events, such as the IAF's successful "Operation Sindoor" in May 2025. This retaliatory campaign, launched after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, saw IAF Rafale jets effectively bypass Pakistani air defences.
The operation highlighted the increasing importance of sophisticated electronic warfare and stand-off weapons in modern conflict, exposing vulnerabilities in Chinese-made air defence systems and missiles used by Pakistan.
The Su-57E and Okhotnik-B combination is being presented as a direct counter to advanced air defence networks, such as China's HQ-9 system deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Pakistan's planned acquisition of Turkey's SİPER system.
By enabling the IAF to strike targets from a distance with a high degree of stealth, this MUMT capability could significantly enhance India's strategic deterrence and offensive power, shaping the security dynamics across the region.
