India Eyes Russian Su-57 Jets and S-500 Systems as Putin Heads to New Delhi

India is preparing to open talks on acquiring new Russian combat aircraft and a missile-defense system during Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s visit, according to Bloomberg on November 30, citing sources familiar with the plans.

Under the countries’ long-standing Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, India is expected to explore procurement of Su-57 fighter jets and an upgraded S-500 air-defense system, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are not public. Any move toward a major new arms deal with Russia risks complicating India’s ongoing trade and security dialogue with the United States, which has repeatedly expressed concern over New Delhi’s dependence on Russian weaponry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to preserve India’s decades-old defense ties with Moscow while simultaneously deepening strategic cooperation with Washington, Bloomberg reported. Although India has diversified its acquisitions in recent years, Russian equipment still makes up the largest share of its arsenal, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh underscored on Friday that India’s defense relationship with Russia “is long-standing” and will continue. He added that New Delhi intends to keep purchasing military hardware from both Russia and the US.

India currently operates more than 200 Russian-made fighter jets and several S-400 air-defense batteries, which were deployed during the four-day conflict with Pakistan in May. Facing a shortage of aircraft, the Indian Air Force has urged the government to procure additional advanced Russian fighters, sources said.

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They noted that Air Force pilots would be able to adapt quickly to next-generation Russian jets, and that state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited can support and maintain the fleet, as reported by Bloomberg. The Su-57’s long-range missiles would also provide India with expanded beyond-visual-range capabilities.

However, the sources cautioned that any agreements on new Russian systems are unlikely to be finalized during Putin’s visit.

Earlier, Sudan resumed talks with Russia over the potential purchase of Su-30 or Su-35 fighter jets as it seeks to slow the Rapid Support Forces’ offensive and rebuild an air force severely depleted in the early stages of the civil war.

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