As it looks to close a significant gap in its air combat capabilities and quickly restock its dwindling fighter fleet, India is aggressively evaluating a historic offer from Russia to provide and co-produce the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57E stealth fighter jet.
There is currently no plan to purchase American F-35s, according to sources who exclusively told CNBC-TV18 that the government is actively evaluating Russia’s offer to manufacture and deliver Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets.
The scale of the Russian proposal is unique; in addition to providing Su-57E export variants, it also pledges full technology transfer, including source code access for the fighter.
This will enable India to completely customize the aircraft, incorporate domestic technologies like AESA radars, sophisticated avionics, and indigenous weapons, and even change its operating software whenever it wants. The government’s “Make in India” campaign and the larger “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) agenda are closely aligned with this level of localization.
The infrastructure already in place at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Su-30 production line in Nashik is a major selling point for the Russian offer. It could be used to speed up induction timetables by facilitating local assembly and ultimate manufacturing of the Su-57. The proposal also mentions the potential for shared production facilities and configuration adjustments based on Indian needs.
Given that China has added over 435 fighter and ground attack aircraft in the last ten years while India has lost 151, the Indian Air Force’s current operational strength of only 31 fighter squadrons—much below the sanctioned 42—underlines the urgency of this step. The necessity for India to swiftly regain regional air superiority has increased as a result of this discrepancy.
India is developing its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program concurrently with the Su-57 proposal. Next week, the Defense Ministry is scheduled to release the AMCA’s Request for Proposal (RFP), which will be followed by a pre-bid meeting and an invitation to bid. The AMCA’s lengthy development schedule, however, makes the Su-57 an essential stopgap measure.
The Russian offer is further reinforced by its readiness to help create indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet engines and support modifications for India’s current Su-30MKI fleet; offers from international engine makers Safran and Rolls-Royce are also being considered.
At the India Today Conclave 2025, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov referred to the Su-57 as “the best combat aircraft currently flying” and reaffirmed Moscow’s willingness to share technology, collaborate on production, and modify it to meet Indian requirements.
India’s strategy three-pronged approach to the Russian Su-57 proposal is as follows: co-production for immediate fighter strength replenishment, AMCA program for medium-term indigenous development, and long-term self-reliance in advanced aerospace technology. The ruling has the potential to drastically affect the balance of air power in the area and to revolutionize Indian defense industry.
