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Su-57 Not Selling? Russia Bundles Su-35M to Keep India Interested
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![Ivan_khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia has expanded its fighter jet offer to India, bundling the Su-35M alongside the fifth-generation Su-57E in a dual-package proposal aimed at securing a long-term contract with the Indian Air Force.
The offer, revealed by Defence Blog, is being pitched as both a short-term solution and a strategic investment in India’s future airpower.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the proposal—put forward by Russian defense conglomerate Rostec and aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi—includes immediate delivery of Su-35M jets while India prepares to begin local production of the Su-57E.
The Su-35M is being presented as a stopgap option to quickly reinforce the Indian Air Force’s fighter squadrons, which have dropped below the sanctioned strength of 42. Up to 40 Su-35M aircraft could be delivered within three years.
This “two-for-one” style approach is designed to appeal to India’s urgent operational needs while also supporting its long-term defense localization goals. The Su-35M shares up to 80% of its systems with the Su-30MKI already in Indian service, allowing for smoother pilot transition and maintenance integration.
The aircraft is compatible with long-range R-37M and K-77M air-to-air missiles, making it suitable for high-altitude operations over the Himalayas.
Meanwhile, the Su-57E—Russia’s most advanced stealth fighter—is being offered for co-production at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik plant. The proposal includes technology transfers in avionics, engines, and radar systems, aligning with India’s “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.
Rostec claims that the production of both aircraft types has accelerated, with Su-35M output ramped up to meet increased demand amid Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The company has also suggested that India could receive future engine upgrades, including the new Izdeliye 177S, which offers improved stealth characteristics and extended lifespan over previous models.
Despite the scale of the offer, questions remain over India’s willingness to deepen its reliance on Russian defense hardware—especially amid concerns about sanctions, spare parts, and logistical hurdles tied to the Su-30MKI fleet.
However, the combined Su-35M and Su-57E proposal may provide Moscow with a critical edge in India’s MRFA tender, where it faces stiff competition from Western platforms like the Rafale and the F-35.
Earlier, Russia offered India full access to the source code of its Su-57E stealth fighter, allowing integration of indigenous weapons and avionics. The deal includes GaN-based AESA radar, an Indian-made mission computer, and potential co-production with HAL. The proposal is seen as a strategic counter to the US F-35 offer and marks a shift from the stalled FGFA program of the 2010s.
