The Russian Su-57E has captivated Indian defense scientists and aviation enthusiasts alike at the ongoing Aero India 2025 air show, where Russia has renewed its pitch for India to co-produce the fifth-generation fighter.
The aircraft’s cutting-edge design, gravity-defying stunts, and technological prowess have drawn keen interest from Indian scientists developing the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
During the event, experts from India’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), responsible for the AMCA program, were seen closely examining the Su-57E’s static display. One scientist remarked, “It is a beautiful piece of technology. Its rotatable fins and landing gear are especially impressive.” This admiration underscores the aircraft’s advanced engineering, but it also raises questions about whether India might reconsider its past decisions regarding the Su-57.
Russia’s state-owned defense export company, Rosoboronexport, has reiterated its willingness to collaborate with India on the co-production of the Su-57E. A company representative told the media that Russia is prepared to localize the production of the Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) in India as early as 2025, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as a key partner.
“Rosoboronexport, together with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), proposes to localize FGFA aircraft in India. This production at the HAL plant might take place as early as 2025. It can be provided this year itself,” the Russian representative stated.
The offer comes at a time when the Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing an alarming decline in its fighter squadron strength and is in desperate need of advanced combat aircraft. This makes Russia’s proposal particularly enticing, as India’s indigenous AMCA is still nearly a decade away from operational service.
India’s interest in fifth-generation fighters dates back to the early 2000s when it sought a partnership with Russia to develop a cutting-edge stealth fighter. While the initial collaboration materialized under the 2007 Indo-Russian FGFA agreement, it was officially scrapped in 2018.
Several factors contributed to India’s withdrawal from the project, including:
- Technological Concerns: Indian defense officials were reportedly dissatisfied with the Su-57’s stealth characteristics and avionics.
- Cost Considerations: The program demanded $8.63 billion, which India found excessive.
- Lack of Full Access to Technology: India wanted unrestricted access to core fifth-generation technologies but felt Russia was unwilling to share critical aspects.
- Focus on Indigenous AMCA Program: India chose to prioritize its homegrown AMCA instead of co-developing the Su-57.
At the time, India hoped it could join the Su-57 program later or procure a fully developed variant once Russia had refined it.
Fast forward to 2025, and the decision to abandon the FGFA project is being reassessed in light of India’s fighter jet shortfall. The IAF’s sanctioned strength is 42 squadrons, but it currently operates only around 30. With aging aircraft like the MiG-21s, MiG-29s, and Jaguars set to retire, the air force urgently needs new fighters.
“The IAF had given a go-ahead; however, the collaboration fell apart at the HAL level. Now see, the Su-57 is flying, and our AMCA is still 10 years away.”
The reality is stark: while the AMCA is still in development, the Su-57 is already in active service with the Russian Air Force. If India had stayed in the FGFA program, it might have already been operating fifth-generation fighters.
To make the Su-57E more appealing, Russia has now included an offer of technology transfer, which could directly benefit India’s AMCA program. The Russian representative outlined key technological offerings, including:
- Advanced Engines: A crucial aspect of fifth-generation fighters.
- Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radars: Essential for modern aerial combat.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Elements: Enhancing automation and combat efficiency.
- Stealth Coatings & Optics: Improving survivability in contested airspace.
- Advanced Weaponry: Cutting-edge air-to-air and air-to-ground armaments.
One of Russia’s strongest selling points is immunity from Western sanctions. The representative emphasized that by collaborating with Russia, India would not have to worry about supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions.
“Manufacturing FGFA means manufacturing critical, crucial elements in India without a fear that tomorrow, something would not be delivered because of sanctions. There shall be no fears in terms of the potential threat of sanctions or a decision from above that some parts or components of the aircraft won’t be delivered to India.”
This statement is an indirect dig at the United States and its allies, who have imposed CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) restrictions on nations purchasing Russian military hardware. India has already faced scrutiny for its S-400 air defense system purchase, making the promise of sanction-free technology access particularly attractive.
Interestingly, when India first sought a fifth-generation fighter in the early 2000s, it initially favored Mikoyan’s MiG 1.44, also known as the Multifunctional Frontline Fighter (MFI). The aircraft was designed to rival the American F-22 Raptor but never progressed beyond the prototype stage.
A former IAF official revealed:
“We liked the proposal of Mikoyan as it suited our requirements better. But it had asked for USD 5 billion at that time.”
With funding constraints and Russia’s own shifting priorities, the MiG 1.44 program was eventually abandoned in favor of Sukhoi’s PAK FA (which became the Su-57). Had MiG’s design been developed, India’s fifth-generation fighter journey could have taken a different path.
Despite the renewed Russian pitch, India remains committed to its AMCA program. HAL and the ADA have repeatedly stated that their focus is on developing indigenous capabilities rather than relying on foreign designs.
The AMCA is expected to have its first prototype flight by 2034, meaning operational deployment might not happen before the mid-2030s. In contrast, the Su-57E is available now, offering an immediate solution to India’s fighter squadron crisis.
Some defense analysts argue that India should consider a dual approach—procuring a small number of Su-57s to bridge the gap while continuing to develop the AMCA. This would mirror India’s Rafale procurement strategy, where 36 Rafales were acquired while indigenous fighters like the Tejas Mk2 were under development.
However, skepticism remains. India’s experience with Russian defense projects—such as delays in the delivery of the S-400, the poor after-sales service for MiG-29s, and cost overruns in the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier project—has made decision-makers cautious.
Russia’s renewed offer to co-produce the Su-57E with full technology transfer is a tempting proposition, especially as the IAF struggles with depleting fighter strength. However, India’s long-term vision remains centered on self-reliance, making the AMCA program its primary focus.
With geopolitical dynamics shifting and military needs evolving, the Indian government faces a crucial decision:
- Should it revisit the FGFA collaboration and fast-track fifth-generation capabilities?
- Or should it stay the course with AMCA, despite its longer timeline?
As India weighs its options, one thing is clear—the Su-57E has left a lasting impression at Aero India 2025, reigniting debates on whether abandoning the FGFA project was a missed opportunity or a strategic necessity.
