IAF May Get Su-57 Squadrons as India, Russia Explore Joint Production

India’s search for a true fifth-generation fighter jet may be entering a decisive phase. With China rapidly expanding its stealth fleet and Pakistan eyeing the J-35, New Delhi is now considering Russia’s most advanced fighter—the Sukhoi Su-57E.

According to reports, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is examining a proposal to procure at least two squadrons of Su-57Es directly from Russia while also exploring the possibility of manufacturing additional squadrons locally at HAL’s Nashik facility.

This move comes at a time when India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project is still years away from operational readiness, leaving the IAF in urgent need of advanced fighters to maintain balance in the region’s evolving aerial battlefield.

India–Russia: A Partnership Forged in Trust

India and Russia share a defense partnership that spans decades, rooted in trust and deep cooperation since India’s independence. From tanks and submarines to missiles and aircraft, Moscow has been New Delhi’s most dependable military supplier.

One of the most successful symbols of this collaboration is the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet, which today forms the backbone of the IAF. More than 220 Su-30MKIs have been assembled at HAL Nashik, alongside over 920 AL-31FP engines produced under license. This track record of technology transfer and local production reinforces Russia’s reputation as a long-term, reliable defense partner.

Now, Moscow is proposing to take this cooperation to the next level by offering India its cutting-edge Su-57E fighter jet—along with local production and unprecedented technology-sharing.

Features of the Su-57 Fighter

The Su-57 is Russia’s answer to the U.S. F-35 Lightning II, designed to combine stealth, speed, and versatility. Some of its defining features include:

• Stealth Design: Advanced radar-absorbing materials and an internal weapons bay to reduce radar cross-section.
• Supermaneuverability: 3D thrust-vectoring engines enable extreme agility in dogfights.
• High Payload Capacity: Can carry up to 10 tons of weapons, including precision-guided bombs and long-range missiles.
• Hypersonic Weapon Compatibility: Designed to integrate next-generation munitions like the Kinzhal air-launched missile.
• Advanced Avionics: A powerful radar and electronic warfare suite offering multi-target engagement and high survivability.
• Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): Compatible with Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik-B combat drone for next-gen networked warfare.

With its rugged design and ability to operate in high-altitude, harsh conditions, the Su-57 is particularly suited for missions over the Himalayas and deep-strike operations across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC).

The Proposal for India

As per sources, Russia has proposed an initial supply of two Su-57E squadrons to India, aimed at addressing the IAF’s immediate fighter gap. Beyond that, Moscow is offering to set up localized production of three to five squadrons at HAL Nashik with 40–60% indigenization.

Russian officials estimate that only 20–30% new tooling would be required to adapt Nashik’s existing Su-30MKI production line, significantly reducing setup costs and timelines compared to establishing fresh infrastructure for alternatives like the Rafale.

Crucially, the Russian offer includes full Transfer of Technology (ToT) and even source code access—a major advantage over Western platforms. This would give India the freedom to integrate its own missiles, develop customized upgrades, and maintain long-term operational independence.

Why India Needs the Su-57 Now

The urgency behind the deal stems from the evolving regional threat environment. China already fields over 200 J-20 stealth fighters, while Pakistan is reportedly working with Beijing to induct up to 40 J-35s by 2026. In contrast, India’s MiG-21 fleet is finally being retired, the Tejas program is still scaling up, and the AMCA project will not be combat-ready until the mid-2030s.

Acquiring the Su-57E now could help bridge this critical capability gap, giving the IAF a technological edge while indigenous projects mature.

Looking Ahead

For India, the choice is not just about aircraft—it’s about strategy. The Rafale has already proven itself in Indian service and offers reliability, but it comes with limited technology-sharing and high costs. The Su-57E, on the other hand, offers deeper strategic benefits: joint production, advanced ToT, and the chance to align with the global trend of manned-unmanned teaming.

If finalized, the deal would not only strengthen India’s combat capability but also create thousands of high-skilled jobs, boost India’s aerospace industry, and potentially turn Nashik into a hub for exporting customized Su-57 variants.

In many ways, this proposal signals a return to India’s earlier involvement in the Russian fifth-generation fighter program—this time, with greater control and local benefits.

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