Putin's Sukhoi Pitch: Why India Remains Reluctant As Russia Pushes For Su-57 Fighter Jet Deal

Last Updated:June 05, 2026, 09:52 IST

India is simultaneously trying to modernise its air force, bridge a shrinking squadron strength, and push ahead with its own indigenous fifth-generation fighter programme.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has revived the idea of India joining hands with Moscow on the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Putin’s invite to India reopened a debate that has lingered in defence circles for more than a decade.

Putin revealed that Russia had earlier proposed joint development of the fighter with India, but New Delhi preferred to wait and watch while Moscow proceeded independently. Now, with the aircraft operational and Russia actively marketing it abroad, the Kremlin is once again pitching the Su-57 to India – not just for purchase but also for future development and production.

The timing is significant. India is simultaneously trying to modernise its air force, bridge a shrinking squadron strength, and push ahead with its own indigenous fifth-generation fighter programme.

What Exactly Is the Su-57?

The Su-57, developed by Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau, is Moscow’s first operational fifth-generation stealth fighter. Designed to compete with aircraft such as the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, the Su-57 combines stealth features, supersonic cruising capability, advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems and long-range strike capability.

The fighter is intended to perform multiple roles – air superiority missions, ground attack, electronic warfare and long-range precision strikes.

Russia claims the aircraft possesses:

• Low radar observability or stealth characteristics
• Supercruise capability, allowing sustained supersonic flight without afterburners
• Advanced avionics and sensor fusion
• High manoeuvrability enabled by thrust-vectoring engines
• Capability to carry a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons

The aircraft has also reportedly seen combat deployment in the Ukraine conflict, something Russia frequently highlights while marketing the platform.

However, unlike the F-35, which has been produced in large numbers and exported widely, the Su-57 remains a relatively limited-production aircraft. Estimates suggest Russia has inducted only a modest number into service so far.

India’s Original Stake in the Programme

India was not always an outsider to the Su-57 story.

In the mid-2000s, India and Russia launched the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme, envisioned as a joint venture based on the Russian platform that would eventually become the Su-57.

The plan was ambitious. India would contribute funding, technology inputs and production capabilities while gaining access to advanced stealth fighter technology that could form the backbone of the Indian Air Force for decades.

But the partnership gradually ran into trouble.

Indian officials reportedly raised concerns about several aspects of the aircraft, including the level of stealth achieved by the design, engine performance and reliability, radar and avionics capabilities, technology transfer arrangements, and escalating costs.

By 2018, India effectively withdrew from the FGFA programme, choosing not to invest further while keeping the door open for future evaluation.

Putin’s latest remarks appear to be a reminder that Moscow never fully closed that door.

Why Is Russia Pushing the Su-57 Again?

There are both strategic and commercial reasons behind Russia’s renewed pitch.

Keeping India Within Russia’s Defence Ecosystem

India remains one of Russia’s largest and most important defence partners. From fighter aircraft and tanks to submarines and missile systems, decades of military cooperation have created deep interdependence.

However, India’s defence procurement landscape is changing rapidly. New Delhi has diversified purchases from countries including France, the United States and Israel while simultaneously increasing investment in indigenous manufacturing.

For Moscow, securing a major fifth-generation fighter partnership would help preserve its long-term relevance in India’s defence modernisation plans.

Financial and Industrial Benefits

Advanced fighter programmes are enormously expensive. A large Indian order or co-production arrangement would provide financial support, increase production volumes and strengthen the international credibility of the Su-57.

Unlike the American F-35 programme, which is largely closed to India due to geopolitical and technology restrictions, Russia can offer deeper industrial participation and local manufacturing.

Countering Western Competition

Russia is also aware that India’s future fighter choices increasingly include Western options. The French Rafale fleet continues to expand, while discussions around future advanced combat aircraft remain active globally.

Offering the Su-57 gives Moscow a chance to retain influence in one of the world’s largest defence markets.

Why Is India Still Reluctant?

Despite Russia’s enthusiasm, India’s hesitation is rooted in both operational and strategic calculations.

Questions Over Stealth Performance

One of the biggest concerns has been whether the aircraft truly matches the stealth standards set by American fifth-generation fighters. Several defence analysts have argued that the Su-57 prioritises manoeuvrability and aerodynamic performance over maximum stealth.

For India, which may have to operate in contested environments against increasingly sophisticated Chinese air defences, stealth remains a critical requirement.

Concerns About Engines and Maturity

The Su-57 programme has faced delays linked to engine development and production timelines.

While Russia is continuing to improve the aircraft, Indian planners traditionally prefer platforms that have demonstrated long-term operational maturity before committing to large acquisitions.

Indigenous Ambitions

Perhaps the biggest reason is India’s own fighter development roadmap. The government has approved work on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter project. The AMCA is viewed as a strategic technology programme rather than merely an aircraft acquisition.

Joining another country’s fifth-generation fighter project could potentially dilute focus, funding and industrial momentum behind the indigenous effort.

Geopolitical Balancing

India’s defence relationships today are far more diversified than they were during the Cold War era. Any major acquisition must now be viewed through a broader strategic lens involving technology access, supply-chain resilience, sanctions risks and partnerships with multiple countries.

While India continues to maintain strong ties with Russia, it is also deepening defence cooperation with Western nations and regional partners.

This balancing act naturally makes the country more cautious about committing to any single large foreign programme.

Could India Still Buy the Su-57?

The Indian Air Force faces an immediate challenge: squadron numbers are below sanctioned strength while China is rapidly expanding and modernising its air force, including deploying the J-20 stealth fighter.

The AMCA, though progressing, remains years away from operational induction. This creates a capability gap during the 2030s.

If India determines that indigenous programmes alone cannot bridge that gap quickly enough, it could explore interim solutions, including limited acquisition, technology cooperation or specific subsystem partnerships.

However, a return to the original FGFA-style joint development programme appears less likely than it did a decade ago.

Russia sees the Su-57 as an opportunity to deepen defence ties and secure a place in India’s next generation of military modernisation. India, meanwhile, is weighing immediate operational needs against a larger strategic goal: becoming a designer and manufacturer of advanced combat aircraft rather than merely a buyer.

The Su-57 may still find a role in India’s calculations, but New Delhi’s long-term focus increasingly lies in the success of the AMCA programme.

About the Author

Pragati Ratti

Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures...Read More

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