Will India Collaborate With Russia To Make SU-57 Jets? Report Says New Delhi Considering It
Su-57 fighter jet was displayed in India at the Aero India 2025 show. A variety of speculation has been sparked off since then. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
India is considering a Russian proposal to collaborate on the manufacturing of the SU-57, its fifth-generation stealth fighter, amid growing pressure to address capability shortfalls in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet.
However, no final decision has been taken, and the discussions are said to be part of a wider strategy to bridge gaps in air preparedness, CNBC-TV18 reported citing senior defence sources.
The deliberations come just ahead of the expected rollout of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for India’s own fifth-generation fighter initiative, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The Ministry of Defence has recently announced a new execution model that aims to bring foreign and private Indian defence firms on a level playing field with public sector undertakings like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Why is India considering the SU-57 collaboration with Russia?
The Russian offer has attracted interest for several reasons.
India already has experience with Russian platforms, particularly the SU-30MKI, which HAL manufactures under license at its Nashik facility.
India is also exploring co-development opportunities for fighter jet engines, and Russia’s offer could potentially include access to key technologies in that area. The SU-57 offer could provide a faster route to field fifth-generation fighters, which would help plug immediate operational gaps while AMCA development continues.
CNBC-TV18 cited sources as saying that HAL’s existing infrastructure, along with Moscow’s willingness to localize production, makes the SU-57 proposal strategically and logistically viable.
What is the status of India’s AMCA program?
The Ministry of Defence is expected to issue an RFP for the AMCA project next week, with the first pre-bid meeting scheduled within 15 days. Following that, the government may invite bids in 45 days, formalizing the competitive process to select partners for the design, development, and production of the indigenous stealth fighter.
The AMCA is a fifth-generation, twin-engine stealth fighter being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in partnership with HAL. The programme is still in the development phase and is not expected to yield operational fighters for several years, which is why India is exploring interim options like the SU-57.
Are there other international collaborations on the table?
Yes. India is evaluating engine development proposals from both France’s Safran and the UK’s Rolls-Royce. Both firms have offered 100% technology transfer, which would allow India to design and manufacture indigenous fifth-generation jet engines.
This is especially critical, as the AMCA’s performance will hinge not only on stealth airframe design but also on next-generation propulsion systems that are currently beyond India’s in-house capabilities.
