Moscow, July 10 - In a strategic maneuver to bolster defense ties with India, Russia has proposed an ambitious package to supply the Indian Air Force (IAF) with its fifth-generation Su-57E stealth fighter jet paired with the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). This offer, centered on the concept of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), aims to enhance India's air combat capabilities while addressing its immediate fighter squadron shortfall and aligning with its long-term defense modernization goals. The proposal, presented by Russia’s state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec and Sukhoi, includes significant technology transfers and local production, positioning it as a compelling option for India amid rising regional tensions with China and Pakistan.
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The Su-57E, an export variant of Russia’s Su-57 Felon, is a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter designed for air superiority, precision strikes, and electronic warfare. Equipped with advanced features such as supercruise capability, a Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and thrust-vectoring engines, it offers supermaneuverability and a combat radius of approximately 1,500 kilometers. Its internal weapons bays can carry a payload of up to 10 tons, including hypersonic munitions like the Kinzhal missile, making it a formidable platform for penetrating contested airspace. The S-70 Okhotnik-B, a stealth heavy UCAV, complements the Su-57E by serving as a “loyal wingman.” With a payload capacity of 2.8 tons and a range of up to 6,000 kilometers, the Okhotnik-B is designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and precision strikes. Its flying-wing design, constructed with radar-absorbent materials, reduces its radar cross-section, enabling it to operate in high-threat environments alongside the Su-57E.
The MUM-T configuration allows the Su-57E to act as a command-and-control node, directing the Okhotnik-B to conduct ISR or engage targets, thereby reducing risks to manned aircraft. This synergy is particularly relevant for India’s operational theaters along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, where deep-strike capabilities are critical. The Okhotnik-B’s ability to neutralize advanced air defense systems, such as China’s HQ-9 or Pakistan’s planned SİPER system, enhances India’s deterrence posture. The proposal comes in the context of Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where the IAF demonstrated its air superiority by striking multiple Pakistani airbases, underscoring the need for advanced platforms to maintain regional dominance.
Russia’s offer includes full source code access and 40–60% localization at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility, which has produced over 220 Su-30MKI jets. This aligns with India’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, enabling integration of indigenous systems like the Astra air-to-air missile, Rudram anti-radiation missile, and Virupaksha AESA radar. To address immediate needs, Russia has proposed delivering 20–30 Su-57E jets off the shelf, with localized production of 60–70 jets by the early 2030s. This phased approach aims to bridge the IAF’s squadron strength gap, currently at 31 against a sanctioned 42, exacerbated by the retirement of aging MiG-21s and delays in India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, which is not expected to enter service until 2034–35. The proposal also integrates technologies from the IAF’s Su-30MKI “Super-30” upgrade program, including a GaN-based AESA radar and an Indian-developed mission computer, ensuring operational commonality and streamlined logistics. The Su-57E is powered by the AL-41F-1S (Izdeliye 117S) engine, with the option to upgrade to the advanced AL-51 (Izdeliye 30) engine, which offers supercruise and enhanced stealth features, by the end of 2025. However, challenges remain, including concerns over the Su-57E’s stealth performance compared to the U.S. F-35, potential U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), and past supply chain issues with the Su-30MKI fleet. Despite these hurdles, Russia’s offer of unprecedented customization and technology transfer positions the Su-57E and Okhotnik-B combo as a strategic interim solution, potentially reshaping India’s airpower and supporting its indigenous defense ambitions.