According to a TASS article, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has repeated its willingness to collaborate with Russia on future warplane types, citing decades of successful cooperation in the production of MiG-21s and Su-30MKIs.
The remark emphasizes both countries’ long history of technology transfer, licensed manufacture, and co-development in combat aircraft. HAL’s spokesperson highlighted that India-Russia defense ties are “very comfortable” and free of major frictions, indicating a favorable atmosphere for moving forward with next-generation systems.
The Su-30MKI program is the most visible example of Indo-Russian partnership in aerospace. HAL has built over 200 Su-30MKIs at its Nashik factory under license, making it into a key fighter production line.
In tandem, HAL and Russian engineers have completed numerous upgrade cycles, merging Indian and Western-origin avionics, weaponry, and targeting pods. This history has encouraged technical cross-pollination and operational experience, putting HAL in a strong position to tackle more sophisticated projects.
Nashik is now active with a contract for 15 more Su-30MKIs, and substantial mid-life modernization and maintenance projects are underway. These updates include improvements to sensors, electronic warfare systems, and weapon compatibility, ensuring that the aircraft remains a critical component of the Indian Air Force until at least the 2050s. The ongoing collaboration demonstrates a strategic purpose to keep Russia as a stable partner, even as India diversifies its suppliers through Rafale acquisitions and indigenous platforms such as TEJAS and AMCA.
While HAL’s statement was generic, the timing and wording suggest that it refers to more than legacy production. One prospective path is collaboration on Russia’s Su-75 “Checkmate” stealth fighter, which Moscow has sold to international partners.
Russia has previously expressed a willingness to develop collaborative manufacturing abroad, and India—with its Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat paradigms—fits well into this framework. Such a project might run alongside India’s larger efforts to minimize dependency while attaining fifth-generation fighting capabilities.
An Su-75 joint venture would overlap with India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. While AMCA symbolizes indigenous aspiration, the timescale for serial production extends into the 2030s. Collaborative participation in the Su-75 program might give India with interim stealth fighter access in the late 2020s, while simultaneously acting as a technology bridge for AMCA. This is consistent with earlier dynamics observed in Su-30MKI induction prior to indigenous TEJAS readiness. Su-75 partnership would need to be carefully balanced such that it complements rather than hinders AMCA.
Deeper collaboration with Russia reduces India’s risk of becoming overly reliant on Western supplies, especially as geopolitical limitations such as US export prohibitions develop.
In contrast, Russia, which is suffering sanctions and budget constraints, acquires a solid development partner and production base. HAL’s remark may therefore be intended to reinforce mutual commitment, even as India strengthens ties with France and the United States. This alignment also helps India’s defence industrial strategy objectives by anchoring significant aircraft projects domestically.
While actual agreements have yet to be reached, HAL’s indication of readiness may indicate early-stage positioning for collaboration in next-generation fighters. Whether this develops into a Su-75 co-production venture or a larger exploratory program, the Indian aerospace industry is well positioned to absorb advanced Russian technologies. The next years will reveal whether mutual strategic needs and financial sustainability can transform this potential into another watershed moment in India-Russia defense relations.
