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Putin Pitched the Su-57 to India—New Delhi Chose French Jets and a Homegrown Fighter Instead
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India has no immediate plans to purchase Russia’s Su-57 fighter, choosing instead to upgrade its existing Su-30MKI fleet while investing in additional French Rafales and its own fifth-generation AMCA program, according to Defense Security Asia on August 1.
“No, we have not thought about Sukhois,” Indian Defense Ministry Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said. “Actively looking at upgrading the existing Sukhois which we have been producing under licence from the Russians,” he added.
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The statement marks a shift from Singh’s position earlier this year, when he said New Delhi had not yet made a final decision on Moscow’s proposal.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin previously said Moscow was prepared to supply Su-57s to India. Russia reportedly hoped to sell between 36 and 40 aircraft, with the possibility of eventually assembling them at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s facility in Nashik, where India already builds Su-30MKIs.
Lots of screws: Closer look at Russia's 5th generation Su-57 fighter jet at China's Zhuhai Airshow. pic.twitter.com/jDJdyafbAD
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 4, 2024
The offer also reportedly included a technology transfer, but New Delhi appears to have chosen a different path.
According to Defence Security Asia, India intends to direct its resources toward purchasing more Rafale fighters from France and developing the domestically designed Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA.
That decision comes despite a significant shortage of combat aircraft in the Indian Air Force. India currently operates an estimated 29 to 31 fighter squadrons, well below its authorized strength of 42.
⚡️Flight of a 🇷🇺Russian Su-57 fighter somewhere on the territory of the Russian Federation. It is probably armed with Kh-59 missiles pic.twitter.com/grDXEAsOTF
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) October 19, 2024
The gap has widened following the retirement of the MiG-21 and the gradual reduction of other aging aircraft fleets.
Instead of buying Su-57s, India plans to modernize roughly 260 Su-30MKI fighters already in service. The upgrade program, known as Super Sukhoi, is expected to add modern communications equipment, improved avionics, and Indian-made long-range weapons.
India decided to accelerate the modernization effort after using Su-30MKIs during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May 2025. The aircraft reportedly performed several missions, including carrying BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
The Su-57 entered Russian service in late 2020 and remains Moscow’s only operational fifth-generation fighter. Russia had reportedly produced 22 aircraft by 2024, leaving the fleet far smaller than those of comparable Western platforms.
Russian officials continue to promote the jet heavily. United Aircraft Corporation chief Vadim Badekha has called it “the only fifth-generation aircraft participating in real combat operations,” referring to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Putin has also described the Su-57 as “the most effective” fighter in the world.
Previously, reports emerged that a Ukrainian cyber attack may have manipulated Russian air defense into downing its own aircraft, leading to the crash of a Russian Su-57 fighter jet in the Moscow region on July 23.
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-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
