Key Points – Russia has made an unprecedented offer to sell its Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter to India, including full access to the aircraft’s source code, a move aimed at securing a major export deal and deepening strategic ties.
-This would allow India to integrate its own domestic avionics and weapons, aligning with its “Make-in-India” policy. The offer is tempting for New Delhi as it seeks to counter Pakistan’s planned acquisition of Chinese J-35 stealth jets.
Su-57 Felon. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-However, India must weigh this opportunity against significant risks, including the Su-57’s questionable technical maturity, past reliability issues with Russian hardware, and the threat of US CAATSA sanctions.
Su-57E vs. F-35: Stealth Showdown in India?
Russia has been looking for potential customers for its fifth-generation Su-57E stealth fighter. For some time, Russia attempted to persuade India to purchase the jet, but the deal ultimately fell through in the end.
However, Russia recently made another offer to India, offering India control over the Su-57’s source code, which allows India to upgrade the aircraft as it sees fit. This offer is tempting for a number of reasons, especially in the face of a rapidly modernizing Pakistani air force.
India’s Search for a Fifth-Generation Fighter: Su-57E Time?
India has long aspired to acquire or develop a fifth-generation fighter aircraft to maintain its air superiority and strategic edge in the region. Initially, India partnered with Russia in the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program, which was based on the Su-57 platform.
However, by 2018, India withdrew from the joint development project. The reasons cited included concerns over the Su-57’s stealth capabilities, the maturity of its engines, lack of access to critical technologies, and the overall cost-effectiveness of the program. Since then, India has focused on developing its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) while also exploring foreign options such as the American F-35A and the French Rafale F4.
In a significant turn of events, Russia has recently made a bold offer to India: the export variant of the Su-57, known as the Su-57E, with full access to its source code. This offer is unprecedented in the realm of international defense deals, where such deep technological access is rarely granted.
The proposal includes the integration of Indian-developed avionics and weapons systems, such as the Astra air-to-air missiles and Rudram anti-radiation missiles.
It also features a GaN-based AESA radar, an Indian mission computer, and the possibility of domestic manufacturing under India’s Make-in-India initiative. Furthermore, Russia has promised early deliveries and even offered to collaborate on India’s AMCA program.
Su-75 Checkmate and Su-57. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Russia’s Offer to India
This offer holds considerable appeal for India. It aligns with the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) policy, which emphasizes reducing dependence on foreign defense suppliers and increasing domestic capabilities.
Full access to the Su-57E’s source code would allow India to integrate its own weapons, customize avionics, and maintain operational sovereignty over the platform. This level of control is rarely available with Western platforms, which often come with restrictions on modifications and usage.
From a cost and delivery standpoint, the Russian offer is also attractive. While we don’t know its exact price, the Su-57E is expected to be much more affordable than the F-35A. Furthermore, Russia’s willingness to deliver the aircraft early could help India address its immediate capability gaps.
The ability to manufacture the aircraft domestically is also a significant pro as it would not only reduce costs over the long term but also boost India’s defense industrial base.
Challenges for the Su-57E
However, there are several challenges to consider India makes a decision. One of the most significant is the issue of trust. India’s past experiences with Russian defense equipment have been mixed. While Russia has been a consistent defense partner with India, it has not always been the most reliable.
While the Su-30MKI has been a cornerstone of the Indian Air Force, there have been persistent issues with spare parts, maintenance, and delays. These experiences may make Indian defense planners cautious about entering into another major deal with Russia.
Another concern is the technical maturity of the Su-57 itself. Although the aircraft has been in development for over a decade, it has faced delays and limited production.
As of 2025, only a small number of Su-57s are operational in the Russian Air Force and the aircraft is still being tinkered with. India may be hesitant to invest in a platform that is still evolving, especially when it is simultaneously developing its own fifth-generation fighter.
Geopolitical Considerations
Geopolitical considerations also play a crucial role. India has been strengthening its defense ties with the United States and other Western nations. A deal with Russia for the Su-57E could complicate these relationships, particularly under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which mandates sanctions on countries that engage in significant defense transactions with Russia.
While India has previously received waivers under CAATSA, there is no guarantee that such leniency would continue, especially if the Su-57E deal is perceived as undermining U.S. strategic interests.
Moreover, India has its own domestic projects to consider. Its indigenous AMCA program has been in development since 2014 and has been progressing steadily, with a prototype expected by 2028.
This project was supposed to heavily modernize India’s fleet without relying on foreign assistance. Investing heavily in the Su-57E could divert resources and focus from this domestic effort. However, Russia’s offer to collaborate on the AMCA could mitigate this concern by aligning the two programs and facilitating technology transfer.
India Needs a Stealth Fighter Sooner, rather than Later
Because of India’s geopolitical circumstances, having a fleet of fifth-generation stealth fighters is essential to the nations national security. China has already deployed its J-20 stealth fighters and is developing the J-35.
Pakistan, too, is modernizing its air force with China’s support. Pakistan reportedly plans on acquiring around 40 J-35 stealth fighters, putting Pakistan’s air force at a significant advantage over India’s. In this context, acquiring a fifth-generation fighter like the Su-57E could help India maintain a credible deterrent and strategic balance in the region.
India, for its part, continues to pursue a policy of strategic autonomy. It seeks to maintain balanced relationships with multiple global powers while advancing its own defense capabilities. A deal for the Su-57E would reflect this approach, signaling India’s willingness to diversify its defense partnerships and assert greater control over its military assets.
It would allow India to domestically produce fifth-generation fighter jets while also strengthening its relationship. The question remains whether India will risk its relationship with the US and the west to fulfil its defensive needs.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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