Media: India eyes buying and producing Russian Su-57 fifth-generation jets

The Indian Air Force is exploring the purchase of Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets and the possibility of producing them domestically, unnamed sources told the New Delhi-based news platform The Print.

They said India was considering acquiring at least two squadrons of Su-57s from Russia and was reviewing Russia’s offer to produce the aircraft in India, following the model used for earlier MiG and Su-30MKI jets.

If approved, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would partner with Russia’s Sukhoi to manufacture the jets at HAL’s facility in Nashik, one of the sources said. “The Sukhoi Bureau already has a working relationship with HAL. The Su57 will make it easier.”

One source explained that India’s requirements are met only by new fighters from Russia and the United States, but the country prioritises local production, making Russia’s offer more suitable.

“The US will not be offering the F-35, which is a more mature aircraft and indeed a stealth one, under the Make in India route. The Russians are (offering),” a source explained.

India currently operates 31 fighter squadrons, each with 16-18 aircraft. This number will decrease to 29 squadrons after the retirement of all outdated MiG-21s on September 26, reducing the originally required 41 squadrons.

By Khagan Isayev