India is preparing to enter a decisive phase of defence negotiations as it gears up for pivotal talks with Russia on the acquisition of the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet and the S-500 Prometheus long-range air defence system during President Vladimir Putin’s anticipated visit to New Delhi this week.
The high-profile engagement—potentially worth several billion dollars—signals India’s determination to preserve strategic autonomy even as Washington intensifies diplomatic pressure under the incoming Trump administration. For New Delhi, the prospective procurement represents a critical attempt to address long-standing shortfalls in its combat aviation fleet and missile defence network at a time when power shifts in the Indo-Pacific are accelerating.
The Indian Air Force (IAF), currently operating just 31 fighter squadrons against a requirement of 42, views the Su-57 as a significant force multiplier. The aircraft’s stealth design, long-range firepower, and advanced sensor suite could provide India with a fifth-generation platform capable of countering China’s expanding deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Pakistan’s ongoing fleet modernisation.
The crisis within the IAF’s force structure has deepened as ageing MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-27 fleets retire faster than replacements arrive. A parliamentary review in late 2024 warned that the deficit could compromise India’s ability to manage simultaneous conflict scenarios with China and Pakistan.
India’s indigenous projects—such as the HAL Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—remain promising but will take years to reach full operational capability. Meanwhile, the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 foreign fighters continues to face bureaucratic and political delays.
Against this backdrop, the Su-57 presents itself as a feasible near-term solution due to its compatibility with the Su-30MKI ecosystem and India’s existing Russian-origin infrastructure.
Russia remains India’s largest defence supplier, having provided more than 60% of the country’s military hardware over the past five decades. Key systems—including the Su-30MKI, T-90S tanks, Kilo-class submarines, and the S-400 Triumf—have shaped India’s core warfighting capability.
The BrahMos program epitomizes this partnership, combining Russian propulsion with Indian guidance and manufacturing under the “Make in India” framework.
With the 2021–2031 Military Technical Cooperation (MTC) Agreement in place, both nations continue to pursue co-development, technology sharing, and long-term sustainment programs. President Putin’s upcoming visit on December 4–5 is expected to deepen these ties, particularly in defence, energy, and regional security.
Moscow’s offer to provide full technology transfer and local production rights for the Su-57—potentially valued between USD 8–12 billion—underscores a level of strategic trust rarely extended to foreign partners. If India proceeds, it could order between 36 and 72 aircraft, with deliveries expected from the late 2020s.
The Su-57’s export readiness was reinforced in 2025 when Algeria became the first foreign buyer, signalling that Russia has overcome initial production bottlenecks.
One of the Su-57’s biggest draws is its ability to field the R-37M long-range hypersonic-class missile, believed to strike targets up to 400 km away at speeds exceeding Mach 6. This capability would give India a significant standoff advantage over regional rivals, particularly against high-value assets such as AWACS and aerial refuellers.
While the Su-57 strengthens offensive airpower, the S-500 Prometheus addresses a different but equally critical need—missile defence. Designed to intercept ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, stealth aircraft, and even low-orbit satellites, the S-500 is among the most sophisticated air defence systems in the world.
The system offers a 600 km engagement range for aerodynamic targets and 500 km for ballistic missiles, with advanced radars capable of detecting threats up to 3,000 km away. Priced between USD 700–800 million per battery, the S-500 would significantly enhance India’s layered air defence umbrella, complementing its existing S-400 units and indigenous BMD systems.
This capability is increasingly important as China expands its DF-17 hypersonic missile arsenal and Pakistan tests MIRV-capable platforms such as Ababeel.
India’s negotiations with Russia come amid heightened U.S. pressure. The Trump administration has threatened CAATSA sanctions and introduced steep tariffs on Indian goods, alleging that New Delhi’s purchase of discounted Russian crude indirectly supports Moscow’s war efforts.
Senior U.S. officials, including adviser Stephen Miller, have reportedly termed India’s position “unacceptable,” raising fears of renewed diplomatic strain.
Yet New Delhi remains firm that its defence decisions are dictated by national security imperatives, not geopolitical alignment. India’s multi-alignment doctrine—allowing deep ties with both Washington and Moscow—remains central to maintaining strategic flexibility in a volatile region.
If final agreements are reached during President Putin’s visit, the Su-57 and S-500 could reshape India’s airpower and missile defence landscape for decades. The acquisitions would boost the IAF’s ability to manage two-front threats, enhance deterrence stability, and elevate India’s status as a major military power in the Indo-Pacific.
