- Views: 21
- Replies: 1
Russia has significantly escalated its pitch to the Indian Air Force (IAF), moving beyond a standard fighter jet sale to offer a comprehensive "future combat" ecosystem.
According to recent reports and statements from officials at Rostec, Moscow is proposing a bespoke, locally manufactured variant of the Su-57 Felon—often referred to as the Su-57MKI—that would be intrinsically linked with the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B (Hunter) stealth drone.
This proposal represents a fundamental shift in air combat philosophy, centring on the concept of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT).
Under this framework, the Russian offer includes not just the hardware, but the critical technology required to integrate these platforms.
India would reportedly have the option to procure the S-70 separately or manufacture it domestically, potentially creating a parallel unmanned production line alongside the fighter.
The Hunter and the Controller
The core of this offer is a two-seat variant of the Su-57, a configuration Russia has been refining specifically for export partners like India.In this operational model, the rear-seat weapons systems officer would not just manage the fighter’s arsenal but would serve as the "mission commander" for a formation of S-70 drones.
Open-source intelligence indicates the S-70 Okhotnik-B is a heavyweight beast compared to standard reconnaissance drones. Weighing approximately 20 tonnes with a wingspan of around 20 metres, it is powered by an AL-41F derivative engine.
Crucially, it features two internal weapons bays capable of carrying up to 2.8 tonnes of munitions, mirroring the payload options of the Su-57 itself. With a reported operational range exceeding 6,000 kilometres, the S-70 is designed to penetrate deep into contested airspace.
Extending the Kill Chain
Operationally, the S-70 is intended to act as a "loyal wingman" that extends the sensory and striking reach of the manned aircraft.By flying well ahead of the Su-57, the drone can use its sensors to detect, identify, and track adversaries without exposing the pilot to immediate danger.
This data is relayed back to the fighter or shared across a secure combat cloud to other assets, such as missile batteries or naval units.
This capability aligns with the strategic priorities of the IAF.
Senior Indian defence officials have previously noted that their interest in the Su-57 platform stems less from its stealth characteristics and more from its substantial payload capability and range.
In this context, the S-70 acts as a force multiplier, allowing the Su-57 to launch strikes from safer standoff distances while the drone operates inside the enemy's air defence bubble.
A Choice Between Imported Power and Indigenous Ambition
While the Russian proposal offers immediate access to a mature MUMT ecosystem, it competes directly with India's own rapidly advancing programmes.The IAF is already committed to an indigenous route, with the Ghatak UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) currently under development.
The Ghatak is designed to pair with the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's own fifth-generation stealth fighter project. Furthermore, upcoming upgrades to the Rafale fleet (F4 and F5 standards) will also introduce similar teaming capabilities.
India now faces a complex strategic calculation. Accepting the Russian offer would mean integrating a foreign-developed manned-unmanned team, which provides a "ready-made" solution for deep strike and sensor fusion.
However, this must be weighed against the long-term goal of strategic autonomy and the development of a domestic defence industrial base centred on the AMCA-Ghatak pairing.
Regardless of the path chosen, the trajectory of air warfare in the subcontinent is clear: the era of the solitary dogfighter is ending, replaced by networked teams of humans and autonomous machines.
