Moscow, July 7 - Russia has recently intensified its efforts to secure a significant defense deal with India, proposing a comprehensive package centered on the supply and co-production of advanced fighter jets. This strategic move aims to bolster the Indian Air Force’s capabilities while deepening the long-standing defense partnership between Moscow and New Delhi. The deal primarily focuses on the Sukhoi Su-57E, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, and the Su-35M, a 4.5-generation air superiority jet, with terms that align closely with India’s ambitions for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
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The proposal, presented by Russia’s state-run Rostec and Sukhoi, includes an unprecedented offer of full technology transfer for the Su-57E, allowing India to produce the aircraft domestically at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility. This facility has a proven track record, having assembled over 220 Su-30MKI fighters, a mainstay of the Indian Air Force since the 1990s. The deal also includes the immediate delivery of 20 to 30 Su-57E jets to address the Indian Air Force’s urgent need to replenish its dwindling squadrons, which have fallen from a sanctioned strength of 42 to just 31. Localized production could see an additional 60 to 70 jets delivered by the early 2030s, potentially transforming India’s aerospace capabilities. Furthermore, Russia has offered the Su-35M as part of India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft tender for 114 jets, positioning it as a quicker, complementary solution to bridge the gap while the Su-57E production ramps up.
A key aspect of Russia’s offer is its alignment with India’s “Make in India” and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, which prioritize indigenous defense production. The deal includes access to the Su-57E’s source code, enabling India to integrate its own avionics, radar systems, and weaponry, such as the Astra and Rudram missiles. This level of technological openness is rare, as Western manufacturers, including those offering the U.S.-made F-35, typically restrict such access. Russia’s proposal also extends to supporting India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program by transferring technologies related to stealth systems, engines, and avionics, potentially accelerating India’s development of its own fifth-generation fighter.
However, the deal is not without challenges. Concerns linger about the Su-57E’s stealth capabilities, which some analysts argue are less advanced than those of its American counterparts. Additionally, India’s past experiences with Russian platforms, such as supply chain disruptions for Su-30MKI spare parts due to sanctions post-2014, raise questions about reliability. The specter of U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act also looms, given India’s existing S-400 deal with Russia. Despite these hurdles, the proposal offers India a strategic opportunity to enhance its airpower while advancing its goal of becoming a global aerospace power, leveraging Russia’s willingness to share cutting-edge technology to counter regional threats, including Pakistan’s planned acquisition of Chinese J-35 stealth fighters.