Russia Eyes India for Su-57 Production Amid Global Fighter Jet Competition

Russia to Build Sukhoi Su-57 Fighter Jets in India?

India’s defense modernization may be entering a new chapter. According to defense sources, Russia is exploring the possibility of producing its advanced fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets in India. If finalized, the deal could be a game-changer not only for India’s military but also for its defense industrial base, creating another pillar of the country’s “Make in India” defense strategy.

At the same time, New Delhi faces competing offers and geopolitical pressures. The U.S. continues to advocate for India’s adoption of the F-35, America’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, while India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is progressing toward its first flight in 2028.

The decision will be as much about strategy and geopolitics as it is about airframes and engines.

The Su-57 and India’s Fifth-Gen Needs

The Sukhoi Su-57 is Russia’s first stealth, fifth-generation fighter jet. Designed for air superiority and precision strike missions, it features advanced avionics, supercruise capability, and stealth technologies. While not as widely deployed as the American F-35, the Su-57 is seen as Russia’s answer to Western fifth-gen platforms.

For India, defense analysts suggest that at least two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighters are urgently needed to maintain air dominance against regional threats from China and Pakistan. India currently fields Russian-origin Su-30 MKIs and French Rafales, but these belong to earlier generations. The strategic choice now is whether to deepen ties with Russia through the Su-57 or align more closely with the U.S. via the F-35.

HAL as the Production Hub

If the plan proceeds, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would likely serve as the key production hub. HAL already manufactures the Su-30 MKI under license at its Nashik facility, giving it established experience in integrating Russian designs into India’s defense ecosystem.

According to sources, other Indian facilities that already produce Russian-origin equipment could also be tapped to support Su-57 production. This localization could reduce costs, accelerate technology transfer, and deepen India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Such a move would mirror India’s strategy of co-producing advanced platforms, as seen with BrahMos missiles (India–Russia joint venture) and the U.S. GE–HAL agreement for local jet engine production.

The American F-35 Option

The U.S. has long pushed for India to consider the F-35, which is deployed by NATO allies and partners in Asia, including Japan, Israel, Singapore, and South Korea. The F-35 offers proven stealth, extensive interoperability with Western systems, and a robust global support network.

However, there are constraints. Washington has been cautious about sharing F-35 technology broadly, and India’s continued reliance on Russian hardware complicates integration. A purchase of the Su-57 would make F-35 acquisition politically, financially, and technologically complex.

In effect, India faces a binary choice: align its fifth-generation fleet with Russia or with the U.S., while advancing its indigenous AMCA program.

India’s AMCA Timeline

India is also pursuing its own fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) secured approval in 2022, with the first prototype expected to fly by 2028 and service entry targeted for 2035.

While the AMCA program demonstrates India’s ambition for technological sovereignty, the long development timeline means interim solutions are needed. This is where the Su-57 or F-35 could serve as a stopgap, bridging the capability gap until AMCA is operational.

Strategic and Geopolitical Considerations

The decision extends beyond aircraft capabilities:

• Russia–India Ties: A Su-57 production deal would reinforce India’s historic defense partnership with Moscow, ensuring continued access to Russian technology while boosting domestic industry.
• U.S. Relations: Opting for the F-35 would deepen India’s strategic partnership with Washington and bolster interoperability with Western allies, but could strain ties with Russia.
• China Factor: China already deploys its own fifth-generation fighter, the J-20. India must ensure technological parity in a region where air dominance is critical.
• Industrial Strategy: Local production of Su-57s would support India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) vision, creating jobs and strengthening supply chains.

Risks and Challenges

Technology Transfer: Russia’s willingness to transfer cutting-edge stealth and avionics technology remains uncertain. India’s experience with previous joint projects has sometimes been marked by delays.

• Operational Costs: Fifth-generation fighters are notoriously expensive to maintain. India must weigh lifecycle costs against capability.
• Geopolitical Balancing: Choosing between Su-57 and F-35 could impact India’s delicate balancing act between Moscow and Washington.
• Program Delays: Both Su-57 and AMCA have faced developmental challenges. Betting on unproven systems carries risks.

Outlook

The coming months will be critical as India evaluates its options. If Russia’s proposal for Su-57 production is formalized, it would represent one of the most ambitious defense-industrial collaborations between the two nations since the Cold War. Conversely, a pivot to the F-35 would signal a historic shift toward U.S. defense alignment, albeit with constraints on technology transfer.

India’s long-term bet remains its indigenous AMCA, but until then, it must secure fifth-generation fighters to maintain its strategic edge. The choice between Su-57 and F-35 will shape not only India’s air power but also its geopolitical alignment for decades to come.

Executive Takeaway

For CEOs, CFOs, and defense-sector investors, the India–Su-57 story illustrates three lessons:

• Geopolitics drives procurement. Defense deals are as much about alliances as aircraft.
• Localization is leverage. Co-production and technology transfer are critical for emerging markets seeking self-reliance.
• Timing matters. With AMCA a decade away, India must choose an interim solution—its decision will define both industrial and diplomatic strategies.

Whether through Russian-built Su-57s or U.S.-made F-35s, India’s path to fifth-generation air power highlights the fusion of defense, diplomacy, and industrial policy shaping 21st-century geopolitics.

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