For years, Indian defence watchers have debated whether New Delhi would induct a Russian 5th-generation fighter in India. Today, with momentum building around the Su-57E deal India, that debate has moved from speculation to concrete details: India buying Su-57E fly-away squadrons, negotiating a Su-57E ToT deal, and preparing for Su-57E local production in India at HAL Nashik.
From my perspective, this story is bigger than just fleet numbers. It is about how India plans to counter China’s J-20 stealth fighter, how the IAF addresses the weaknesses exposed in Operation Sindoor, and how the nation balances between Rafale MRFA imports and the indigenous AMCA plan.
Why India Is Considering the Su-57?
Critics in the Western world and the USA often argue that the Su-57 is not a true fifth-generation fighter. In reality, every so-called “fifth-gen” jet has shortcomings, whether it is the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 Lightning II, or the Su-57.
- With Su-57, the most common criticism is its AL-41F1 engine.
- Russia is already testing the next-generation AL-51 (Izdeliye-30), which promises higher thrust, greater efficiency, and better sustained supercruise.
Lessons from Operation Sindoor
India’s experience in Operation Sindoor exposed three critical gaps:
- Limited long-range precision strike capability.
- Payload restrictions in current aircraft carrying heavy standoff weapons.
- The need for stealthy penetration against advanced enemy air defences.
Why Su-57E Fits India’s Needs
- Payload flexibility: Su-57E can carry heavy weapons internally and externally, giving it the versatility that Rafale or Su-30MKI alone cannot match.
- Missile options:
- R-77-1 BVR missile
- R-74M2 / R-73 short-range AAMs
- Kh-59MK2 cruise missile
- Kh-35U anti-ship missile
- Kinzhal hypersonic missile (export-cleared variant)
- Potential integration of BrahMos-NG for India
This combination allows India to conduct deep strikes, maritime interdiction, and air superiority missions with one platform.
When critics ask, “Why buy Su-57 when AMCA is coming?” the answer is clear: the IAF understands its operational requirements better than anyone. If they are evaluating the Su-57E, it is because they see a pressing need that cannot wait for AMCA alone.
Similar: Su-57E and Okhotnik-B for India: Stealth MUM-T Power
Know More: India Rejected the F-35: Strategic Shift to Sovereignty
Why India Rejected the F-35 Option
The US has shown willingness to export the F-35 to India under the 2025 fighter proposal. Yet, several factors make the F-35 a less attractive choice:
- Not proven in large-scale warfare, despite years of service.
- Recently, an F-35 was tracked by Indian radar and made an unscheduled landing at Kerala airbase for mechanical checks during a UK Royal Navy exercise, raising reliability concerns.
- High cost: $80–110 million per unit, with even greater sustainment expenses.
- S-400 conflict: India’s operation of the Russian S-400 air defence system risks exposing F-35 stealth signatures and complicating Indo-US defence relations.
- End-user restrictions: Strict US controls mean minimal technology transfer, undermining India’s goal of strategic autonomy.
Will India Join the F-35 Program?
Given the high cost, political constraints, and limited compatibility with American systems, India is unlikely to induct the F-35 as a frontline fighter. Instead, the IAF is focusing on the Su-57E stealth fighter for India and the indigenous AMCA plan, both of which align better with national doctrine and strategic autonomy.
Also Read: F-35 vs Su-57: Shocking Fighter Jet Differences 2025|
Explore: India to Buy 5th Gen Fighter Jet: F-35 or Su-57?
How Many Su-57E Squadrons Is India Considering?
The top search today is How many Su-57E squadrons India is buying. Current discussions point to:
- Two Su-57E squadrons (36–40 jets) in fly-away condition.
- Local production of 3–5 squadrons (54–90 jets) at HAL Nashik under a Su-57E ToT deal.
If all plans proceed, the IAF could field 90–130 Su-57Es over the next decade, reinforcing the broader India–Russia Su-57E deal in 2025 narrative.
Su-57E Fly-Away Jets for IAF
The IAF cannot afford delays, which is why fly-away jets are prioritised.
- First deliveries: projected for 2027–2028, depending on Russia’s production capacity.
- Full induction: both squadrons completed by the early 2030s.
- These aircraft will provide India with an early stealth deterrent while HAL prepares its own assembly line.
HAL Nashik Su-57E Assembly Details
The long-term backbone of the programme lies in Su-57E local production in India.
- HAL Nashik experience: The facility has already produced 220+ Su-30MKIs, making it the natural choice for a Su-57E production line.
- Upgrades required: Only about 20–30% new tooling, though stealth coatings, RAM processes, and precision jigs are entirely new areas.
- Timeline: A realistic HAL Nashik Su-57 production start date is 2028–2029, with progressive localisation through the 2030s.
This ensures India gains not just jets but industrial capacity.
Su-30MKI and Su-57E Commonality
One strength often highlighted is the Su-30MKI and Su-57E commonality.
- Shared design lineage reduces training and spares challenges.
- Yet, stealth architecture, RAM coatings, and avionics mean they are not interchangeable.
- In practice, the Su-30MKI will remain the backbone while the Su-57E provides stealth penetration capability.
Su-57E vs Rafale MRFA India
The debate of Su-57E vs Rafale MRFA India continues.
- Rafale strengths: proven reliability, Western weapons, and smooth integration with the IAF’s Mirage fleet.
- The Su-57E’s strengths lie in its stealth shaping, advanced thrust-vectoring, and the possibility of integrating hypersonic weapons within India’s arsenal.
For me, this is not a competition. Rafale MRFA secures reliability, while Su-57E provides stealth parity against China’s J-20. Both are needed.
India Su-57E vs AMCA Plan
Comparing Russia’s Su-57E vs AMCA plan requires context.
- AMCA represents sovereign stealth capability, with a prototype expected in the early 2030s.
- Su-57E acts as a bridge fighter, giving the IAF exposure to stealth before AMCA matures.
- The key is ensuring Su-57E technology transfer to India supports AMCA’s development.
Su-57E Transfer of Technology for India
The Su-57E ToT deal is the defining factor.
- Russia promises deep technology transfer, with some reports hinting at software and source-code access.
- Strong ToT would let India integrate BrahMos-NG and future Project Vishnu hypersonic missiles.
- Without genuine ToT, India risks dependency—making this the most critical negotiation point.
India Su-57E vs China J-20
Strategically, many frame it as India Su-57E vs China J-20.
- J-20: greater range and production numbers.
- Su-57E: superior manoeuvrability, thrust-vectoring, and diverse weapons integration.
- India’s advantage: a mixed fleet of Rafale, Su-57E, Su-30MKI, and eventually AMCA.
Check Comparision: Comparing AMCA vs F-35, J-20, and Su-57: 5th Generation Fighters
Pricing, Timelines, and FAQs
- Su-57E price for India: estimated USD 50–80 million per jet.
- Will Su-57E be made in India? Yes, HAL Nashik will assemble multiple squadrons.
- Can Su-57E replace Su-30MKI in India? Not immediately; Su-30MKI remains vital, while Su-57E adds stealth.
- IAF Su-57E induction date: expected 2027–2028 for the first jets.
FAQs on Su-57 and Su-57E Deal India
Q1. What is the Su-57 fighter jet?
The Su-57 is Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter; the Su-57E is its export version offered to India.
Q2. How many Su-57E jets is India buying?
India plans 40 flyaway + 90 HAL-assembled jets, totalling up to 130.
Q3. What is the Su-57E price for India?
Estimated at USD 50–80 million per aircraft.
Q4. Will Su-57E be produced in India?
Yes, at HAL Nashik under a technology transfer deal.
Q5. How does Su-57 compare with Rafale and AMCA?
Su-57 offers stealth and new weapons, Rafale is proven, AMCA is upcoming.
Q6. How does Su-57 compare with China’s J-20?
J-20 has numbers, Su-57 has manoeuvrability and thrust-vectoring.
Q7. When will India sign the Su-57E deal?
Likely during Putin’s December 2025 visit.
Conclusion
Whether your query was “India buying Su-57 from Russia,” “Su-57E fighter jet India,” “HAL Nashik Su-57 production start date,” or “Su-57E vs Rafale MRFA India,” one thing is clear: India’s path toward advanced airpower is steadily taking shape.
India appears set on a two-track path:
- Fly-away squadrons for immediate deterrence.
- HAL Nashik fighter jet production for long-term self-reliance.
The real test lies in the Su-57E transfer of technology for India. Managed well, it can deliver more than jets by accelerating the AMCA plan and strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem.
For me, the Su-57 deal is not just about acquiring fighters; it is about turning imports into strategic autonomy.