Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered India the Sukhoi Su-57, a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, and indicated readiness for co-production in line with the strong strategic partnership between the two countries. The offer comes as New Delhi aggressively diversifies its military procurement strategy due to persistent supply chain disruptions and delivery delays stemming from the war in Ukraine.
Putin's Remarks on Su-57 Cooperation
In an interaction with heads of leading global news agencies, including PTI, on Thursday night, Putin said Moscow is keen to involve New Delhi in the Su-57 programme. "As for the Su-57, we offered our friends from India to jointly develop this machine, a fifth-generation aircraft. I think it's the best to date. But our Indian friends said, 'well, let's see'," he said, responding to a question from PTI's CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi. "In principle, this could have been our (Russia-India) product. We made it independently. And we are ready to work with India. To work and develop. There will be no restrictions whatsoever," he added.
India's Indigenous AMCA Project
After a years-long search for a fifth-generation fighter jet, India launched its ambitious Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, the nation's largest indigenous aerospace programme. However, as the AMCA is unlikely to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) before 2035, the government is considering procuring at least two squadrons (around 36) of Su-57s, provided they meet technical specifications. State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is in touch with the Sukhoi Design Bureau for possible collaboration.
Historical Context of FGFA Talks
India and Russia were in talks for joint development and production of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) for nearly 15 years. In 2021, India conveyed its unwillingness to proceed, primarily due to the high cost, estimated at around USD 30 billion or Rs 2 lakh crore. Despite this, New Delhi has not completely closed the door on the Russian offer.
Broader Defence Cooperation
Putin also expressed Russia's willingness to collaborate with India on integrated air defence systems. India is developing an indigenous system called "Sudarshan Chakra," and Russian-origin S-400 missile systems are set to be key components. In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal for five S-400 systems, despite US sanctions warnings under CAATSA. The fifth squadron is yet to be delivered. In March, New Delhi cleared procurement of an additional five S-400 systems, bringing the total to ten.
India's Defence Diversification
For decades, Russia has been India's primary defence supplier. However, war-related disruptions have forced diversification. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world's second largest arms importer from 2021 to 2025, with the largest share from Russia. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "The defence ties between India and Russia are strong. For this programme, you will be able to get specific details from the Ministry of Defence."
