Why India Could Be Russia’s Biggest Su-57 Sales Partner

Russia has proposed an ambitious plan to make India the global manufacturing and export hub for the Su-57 stealth fighter and its export version, the Su-57E.

The proposal is aimed at overcoming Russia’s production challenges while taking advantage of India’s growing aerospace manufacturing capabilities and decades-long defence partnership.

This concept builds on the success of the Su-30MKI program, where India manufactured the aircraft under license. However, this new proposal goes much further. Instead of simply assembling aircraft for the Indian Air Force, India would become an integral part of the global Su-57 supply chain, manufacturing components, assembling aircraft, and exporting them to international customers.

One of the biggest reasons behind Russia’s proposal is the impact of Western sanctions. These sanctions have disrupted Russia’s access to critical electronics, aircraft components, and advanced materials, making Su-57 production slower and more expensive.

By shifting part of the manufacturing process to India, Russia can tap into India’s well-established aerospace industry, particularly facilities such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which already has decades of experience producing Russian-designed fighter aircraft.

Another major objective is to increase production and reduce costs. Although the Su-57 has entered operational service with the Russian Air Force and has reportedly seen combat deployment in Ukraine, production numbers remain relatively low compared to the original targets. Russia believes that if India commits to purchasing around 100 aircraft, larger production volumes would significantly reduce manufacturing costs through economies of scale while accelerating production for both domestic and export customers.

Russia is also looking to expand the Su-57’s presence in the international market. Under the proposal, India would receive full export rights to manufacture and sell the aircraft globally. India’s strong defence relationships across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Global South could help attract new customers, making “Made in India” Su-57 fighters more competitive against Western and Chinese alternatives. This would also create a new source of revenue for both countries.

From Russia’s perspective, joint manufacturing would provide an important financial and industrial boost to the Su-57 program. Indian investment, local production, and technology partnerships would help expand manufacturing capacity while reducing dependence on Russian production facilities alone.

The proposal also represents an attempt to revive the spirit of the earlier Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, or FGFA, program. India withdrew from that project in 2018 due to concerns over the aircraft’s stealth capabilities, engine performance, costs, and limited technology sharing. This time, Russia is offering a far more attractive package.

Reports suggest the offer could include extensive technology transfer, access to software source codes, and even joint development of a twin-seat Su-57 variant designed specifically to meet Indian Air Force requirements.

However, India’s response remains cautious. The Indian Air Force continues to face a shortage of fighter squadrons and requires a near-term solution to maintain its combat strength. Some reports suggest India could initially consider purchasing two or three squadrons of Su-57 fighters directly from Russia as a temporary solution while continuing to prioritize the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, program.

Taking on the role of a global manufacturing hub would require significant investment, long-term production commitments, and careful planning. India will also need to ensure that any agreement supports the country’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives without slowing down the development of the AMCA.

As of mid-2026, discussions between both governments continue, with senior officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing support for deeper defence cooperation. Whether India accepts the proposal will depend on the balance between operational requirements, technology transfer, industrial benefits, and long-term strategic autonomy.

If the agreement moves forward, it could become one of the largest defence manufacturing partnerships in modern history, transforming India into the global production and export hub for Russia’s flagship fifth-generation stealth fighter while significantly reshaping the international fighter aircraft market.