Russian Su-57E Fighter Jet Falls Short of IAF's Stringent 5th-Gen Requirements, Making Indigenous AMCA More Appealing

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is showing little interest in acquiring the Russian-made Su-57E fighter jet, citing concerns that the aircraft does not meet the stringent requirements for a true fifth-generation platform.

A senior IAF official, speaking at the Aero India 2025 event, stated that the Su-57E has several shortcomings.

The IAF's assessment is that even if it were to buy the Su-57E, significant changes would be needed. Specifically, the plane's radar and avionics systems – the electronic 'brains' and 'eyes' of a fighter jet – would require complete replacement. This integration process would be lengthy, delaying the aircraft's operational readiness.

The IAF believes that by the time these upgrades were finished, India's own domestically developed Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) would likely be ready to enter service.

The AMCA is a fifth-generation fighter jet being developed by India's DRDO and HAL. It is designed to incorporate key fifth-generation features, such as stealth technology, advanced sensors, and the ability to carry a wide range of weapons. The first flight of AMCA is expected by 2028, according to DRDO, and the production may start around 2034-35.

When questioned about Pakistan potentially acquiring the J-35A from China, IAF officials stated that the service is applying a measured response. The IAF will use its past experience when Pakistan acquired F16s fighter jets.

During the 1980s, IAF acquired Mirage-2000s and Mig-29As to counter the F-16s of Pakistan. This time, IAF is taking a strategic, long-term view. The IAF is prioritizing the creation and fielding of domestically produced advanced platforms, like the AMCA, over quick-fix acquisitions.

The IAF's position underscores its dedication to building a self-sufficient defence infrastructure. It also emphasizes that the Air Force's future fighter fleet must meet its long-term operational needs, rather than being driven by short-term reactions to regional developments.

 

[P2S2]

Professionalism brought it to this day, 2028 is tomorrow, keep awake drink coffee, defend, pass the night. Congratulations guys

 

[sanket]

So it means no foreign stealth fighter, only AMCA.

 

[Praveen]

I don't understand where this confidence comes from. One is flying and another is only drawing and making mockups.

 

[Senapati]

We all will like our AMCA to be a success and it's 110kn engine idigenised.
But it takes 10 to15 years.
There is a immediate need to go for stealth fighter jets that is in offer.F53 of USA and Su57 or Su75 of Russia with India specific improvements.

 

[Rama Hota]

To date, we have produced only 40 Tejas.
Our fighter plane strength is at an all-time low.
But we have to wait until 2035 for the 1st AMCA.

 

[Dr]

Russia, with a big fleet of fighters, is not able to gain control of Ukraine's air space due to air defence systems, as it is a contested sky. Likewise, if the IAF does not want overseas 5th generation stealth aircraft, then we need to strengthen air defence systems quickly, as well as add MALE UAVs with long range, as well as kamikaze drones in quantity, apart from going for 114 4++ aircraft quickly. It seems it's better buying 54/72 SU-57s if it is a 5th generation aircraft, as claimed by Russia, as F-35s will be very expensive to maintain and also will not be inducted before 31/32, as it has long pending orders and will come with strict riders, which means paying a lot but depending upon the USA to use those aircraft during war.

 

[op gupta]

As usual, most of the time, Russian defence platforms are not fully developed, or rather, poorly developed, but Russia is eager to sell its defence hardware, e.g., T-90 tank and Su-30. These were dud platforms until and unless India showed interest to procure them and finally developed them. So, all in all, Russia needs money from foreign countries to develop their own platforms; this is the Russian style of management—awkward, clumsy, and botched, but sometimes remarkable.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

Russia, with a big fleet of fighters, is not able to gain control of Ukraine's air space due to air defence systems, as it is a contested sky. Likewise, if the IAF does not want overseas 5th generation stealth aircraft, then we need to strengthen air defence systems quickly, as well as add MALE UAVs with long range, as well as kamikaze drones in quantity, apart from going for 114 4++ aircraft quickly. It seems it's better buying 54/72 SU-57s if it is a 5th generation aircraft, as claimed by Russia, as F-35s will be very expensive to maintain and also will not be inducted before 31/32, as it has long pending orders and will come with strict riders, which means paying a lot but depending upon the USA to use those aircraft during war.

Problem is, there's nothing 5th gen in the Su-57. The government did a great blunder in not procuring Rafales in adequate numbers when there was time.

 

[Sridhar]

I don't understand where this confidence comes from. One is flying and another is only drawing and making mockups.

Even birds fly. Just because SU 57 has wings and engines, it doesn't provide any justification for buying. IAF shouldn't even consider it, even if it's offered free of cost. RAFALE, or F15 EX, or for that matter any other 4.5+ can be considered. Not this. IAF needs genuine fighter jets, not for conducting any aerial circus. COBRA, Pugachev maneuverability is no more relevant in today's aerial combat. BVR Missiles, technology driven by AI, networking between different platforms with user-friendly UI holds the key. F35 is not known for its maneuverability, but still it's a potent platform because of its cutting-edge technology.

 

[Parivel]

I don't understand where this confidence comes from. One is flying and another is only drawing and making mockups.

I would agree... We must keep some deterrence in between Pakistani buy Gen5... and our AMCA readiness... as our development history does not give confidence unless our IAF shouts.

 

[Bhishma]

We need to change the dev process. Hire someone from auto/tech industry to show how it's done. Just get to the first prototype ASAP. It doesn't have to be perfect. Then in 3-4 iterations, the product will be solid.

 

[Bhishma]

I bet the US already has fully autonomous fighters. I bet China is close to achieving them. Invest in AI. It can address all our 5G problems. Ghatak and CATS with fully autonomous AI brains can surpass our enemy's 5Gs.

 

[Frank]

Thank God... Thank God... Good sense prevails...

Now cancel MRFA.

And order 300-400 Tejas Mk2 in its place...

Price of 114 Rafale = price of 400 Tejas Mk2.

 

[Jishnu]

Bruh, how would it take too long ?? You guys have the Virupaksha Radar, just integrate them into the Felon! Either speed up amca, and redesign it into a 5.5G++ platform! We are running short of squadrons! Let the Su-57E complement the AMCA

 

[P2S2]

Without people you have no country. SU 57 is only considered if it allows Indians to master the art of designing and producing aero engines otherwise the peasants rupees won't be sent to finance Russia and help support their trained brains to remain in mother Russia. The peasants would happily send their rupees to mother Britain because the Kohinoor is solid. When invaders started massacres those who could escape ran across mountains and deserts to become Gypsies. Scotland had Gypsie royalty which managed to grab the British Crown. I repeat the Kohinoor is proudly in ascendency.

 

[Jishnu]

If you really know how we modified the existing Su-30K into the Su-30MKI, the same thing can be done to the Su-57E.

 

[Raakbas]

After adopting a strategic, long-term perspective, the IAF will come to realize that the AMCA is running behind schedule and we need to make an emergency purchase of fighter jets to negate the 5th generation jets in the PAK Air Force and PLAAF.

Only a few persons will be alive then to point out this was the position in which the IAF adopted its long-term strategy, which led to that future crisis from the soon-to-be current crisis! Then the GoI will form one more committee to tackle that crisis. In short, we will go from crisis to crisis with periods of inactivity in between. 😊🙏

 

[P2S2]

If you really know how we modified the existing Su-30K into the Su-30MKI, the same thing can be done to the Su-57E.

Russian strategy has successfully snared India in the production of Russian technology. Unless it continues being the preferred market and keep being a viable reason to make better quality weapons which are necessary to keep Russia afloat, its doomed. China has become a competitor, Trump will easily placate Kim and neutralise that card. Unemployed soldiers will be grabbing any security work. Trained American servicemen would be flooding in the thousands. Russians will start hiding their children from the military while American families will beg the breadwinners bring the bread. Nobody else will want to push the button for a nuclear war. Putin may end up with Netanyahu because Trump needs to save America. Better to salvage tough proven Russian ingenuity and open up Wa Khan freeing up direct access to the Indian Ocean. With Desi manpower Russian ingenuity will be brought on par eventually

 

[Sandeep]

Highly unlikely that we would buy it as just going through its details, capabilities and testing it will take 2-3 years and another few years to negotiate the amount of technology transfer and local production they will allow. By then our AMCA would have been made and flown by then so we should just focus on our indigenous jet.

 

[P2S2]

If you really know how we modified the existing Su-30K into the Su-30MKI, the same thing can be done to the Su-57E.

Russian strategy has successfully snared India in the production of Russian technology. Unless it continues being the preferred market and keep being a viable reason to make better quality weapons which are necessary to keep Russia afloat, its doomed. China has become a competitor, Trump will easily placate Kim and neutralise that card. Unemployed soldiers will be grabbing any security work. Trained American servicemen would be flooding in the thousands. Russians will start hiding their children from the military while American families will beg the breadwinners bring the bread. Nobody else will want to push the button for a nuclear war. Putin may end up with Netanyahu because Trump needs to save America. Better to salvage tough proven Russian ingenuity and open up Wa Khan freeing up direct access to the Indian Ocean. With Desi manpower Russian ingenuity will be brought on par eventually

 

[P2S2]

So it means no foreign stealth fighter, only AMCA.

Partnership means just that. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. World is loaded up with machines, robots. Unfortunately only humans buy stuff. One doesn't kill humans if one needs customers otherwise factories close robots remain unprogramed.

 

[P2S2]

Highly unlikely that we would buy it as just going through its details, capabilities and testing it will take 2-3 years and another few years to negotiate the amount of technology transfer and local production they will allow. By then our AMCA would have been made and flown by then so we should just focus on our indigenous jet.

Partnership means you scratch my back, I scratch yours. Supporting Russia provides balance against others playing games with our people's lives. The costs are manageable.

 

[Surfer]

I don't understand where this confidence comes from. One is flying and another is only drawing and making mockups.

When countries with advanced aerospace take 15-20 years to develop 5th gen tech, these guys who are only capable of making 50% of 4th gen tech are never going to make a 5th gen jet without outside help. The newfound confidence might be from LM; wonder if they learned anything from Japan or South Korea and about their experience similar to this. We will soon see IAF guys proudly taking pictures in front of F21. I don’t think we will buy F35 from the US, not to irk both parties.

 

[John Doe]

Problem is, there's nothing 5th gen in the Su-57. The government did a great blunder in not procuring Rafales in adequate numbers when there was time.

The Rafael will not be able to counter the J35! Rafael is a 4th generation fighter!